Sunderland handed EFL investigation boost as they look to rearrange three fixtures

Sunderland will NOT have to wait until the conclusion of an EFL investigation to rearrange the three League One fixtures affected by the club’s COVID-19 outbreak.
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The Black Cats’ festive clashes with Shrewsbury Town, Blackpool and Hull City have all been postponed after the club informed the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixtures.

That decision came on Wednesday evening at a point where Sunderland confirmed five positive cases within the camp. The Echo understands that number has since risen.

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Sunderland handed EFL investigation boost as they look to rearrange three fixturesSunderland handed EFL investigation boost as they look to rearrange three fixtures
Sunderland handed EFL investigation boost as they look to rearrange three fixtures

And there were fears that the trio of postponed games would not be able to be rearranged until such a point as the EFL investigation was concluded. Given that no investigations have yet been finished, that could have left Sunderland with fixture congestion towards the end of the campaign.

But sources close to the EFL have confirmed to the Echo that fixtures can be rearranged as soon as is practically possible.

That should represent something of a boost for the Black Cats, who will now be able to arrange the fixtures at a time convenient to them.

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It also seemingly rules out the prospect of games being awarded against Sunderland as a result of the postponements, given the EFL have given the green light for the affected games to take place in the future.

All three games are set to take place in 2021, where there remain a number of free midweeks.

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