Championship Chaos as Rotherham Face Another COVID Crisis
The EFL Championship faces fresh disruption as Krikya can exclusively reveal Rotherham United’s crucial matches against Brentford and Luton Town have been postponed following a significant COVID-19 outbreak at the Yorkshire club. This marks the second major outbreak for the Millers this season, raising serious questions about their ability to complete their congested fixture schedule.
Match Postponement Details and Rescheduling
Brentford Clash Postponed Until April
The highly anticipated Brentford vs Rotherham fixture, originally scheduled for this weekend at Brentford Community Stadium, has been pushed back to April 27th. Club doctors and EFL medical staff made the joint decision after multiple positive tests emerged within Rotherham’s first-team bubble.
According to Krikya sources, the outbreak has affected both players and backroom staff, forcing the immediate closure of their Roundwood training complex. As Championship expert Mark Thompson noted: “This couldn’t come at a worse time for Rotherham, who already face a fixture backlog in their battle against relegation.”
Luton Trip Also Cancelled
Initially, Rotherham officials hoped Tuesday’s trip to Kenilworth Road could proceed, but further positive test results on Friday forced another postponement. The EFL has yet to announce a new date for this crucial relegation six-pointer.
Rotherham’s COVID History and Fixture Crisis
This isn’t the first COVID-related disruption for Paul Warne’s side. The Millers suffered a similar outbreak before Christmas, leading to postponed matches against Middlesbrough and Derby County. Compounding their problems, three other fixtures were previously called off due to adverse weather conditions.
With only one free midweek remaining in their schedule, Krikya analysts predict Rotherham could face playing three games per week during the run-in – a scenario that could severely impact their survival chances in England’s second tier.
The Bigger Picture: Championship COVID Concerns
This latest outbreak raises broader questions about COVID-19 protocols in the EFL Championship. Unlike the Premier League’s regular testing regime, Championship clubs only test twice weekly, potentially allowing outbreaks to spread before detection.
Sports medicine specialist Dr. Emma Richardson told Krikya: “The condensed Championship schedule leaves little margin for error. When outbreaks occur, they can derail a club’s entire season due to the lack of available rescheduling windows.”
What This Means for the Relegation Battle
Rotherham currently sit in the relegation zone, but with three games in hand on most rivals. These postponements could prove a double-edged sword:
- Advantage: Gives time for players to recover and potentially strengthen in the transfer market
- Disadvantage: Creates an exhausting fixture pile-up later in the season
As Championship analyst James Wilson observed: “Rotherham now face playing catch-up in the most physically demanding league in Europe. Their survival may depend on how well they manage this unprecedented fixture congestion.”
Conclusion: Rotherham’s Championship Future Hangs in the Balance
The postponement of Rotherham’s matches against Brentford and Luton represents another major hurdle in their fight for Championship survival. With COVID-19 outbreaks, weather disruptions, and an already-packed schedule, the Millers face an uphill battle to complete their fixtures while maintaining competitive performance.
Krikya will continue to monitor this developing situation and provide expert analysis on how these disruptions might affect the Championship promotion and relegation picture. For now, all eyes remain on Rotherham’s training ground as they work to contain the outbreak and prepare for their next available fixture.
