Halifax Panthers' clash with Sheffield Eagles postponed by positive Covid-19 cases

Five more Eagles players were identified as close contacts, taking their total number of absentees to seven which permits the postponement of the fixture under the Rugby Football League's Covid-19 policy.

The game has been rescheduled for the weekend beginning June 5, one of two available slots in the Championship calendar. The fixture is the first rugby league game to be postponed for Covid-19 related reasons this year.

A club statement from the Panthers confirmed: "The Betfred Championship fixture between Halifax Panthers and Sheffield Eagles which was scheduled for Sunday (May 16) has been postponed.

"Two Sheffield players have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last three days, and a further five players have been identified as close contacts.

"That takes the Eagles to the minimum number of seven players being ruled out for Covid-related reasons which permits the postponement of a fixture under the RFL’s Covid-19 policy.

"In addition, the club have postponed their scheduled training sessions for the rest of this week.

"The fixture will now be rearranged for the weekend of June 5-6, one of the two available match slots for rearrangements in the 2021 Betfred Championship season.

"This is the first Betfred Championship fixture to be postponed since the competition resumed five weeks ago, and the first rugby league fixture of any form to be postponed as a result of positive Covid-19 tests in 2021.

"The club will update supporters as soon as a date has been confirmed for the fixture."