Twickenham left in chaos as Covid hits sport events

THE sporting calendar has been thrown into chaos as Covid-19 outbreaks continue to rip through events across world.

The Barbarians were branded ‘a shambles’ and ‘a disgrace’ when their game against Samoa at Twickenham had to be called off only 90 minutes before kick-off after six of their camp tested positive for Covid.

Wales legend Jonathan Davies slammed the Baabaas: ‘This is an utter shambles and disgrace,’ he said. ‘They have promoted the game and Samoa pulled out all the stops to get here without their fullstrength squad.

‘Ironically, due to Covid restrictions, some players could not travel. And now this! They get all the way here and it is called off so close to kickoff. It’s not good enough.’

However, the Barbarians hit back, claiming the matter was out of their hands: ‘Despite

the recent positive Covid tests, we had a fit 23 today who all tested negative this morning,’ the Barbarians chiefs said in a statement.

‘They were ready and keen to take to the pitch. The squad complied to the letter with the Covid protocols throughout the week, including daily lateral flow tests.’

Meanwhile, Portuguese league side Belenenses were forced to start their game against Benfica with only nine players, including naming two goalkeepers, and no substitutes after their own Covid outbreak.

Belenenses found themselves 7-0 down at half-time before the game was abandoned at the start of the second half when only seven players appeared for the restart. Another went down injured, leaving them with only six and the game was called off.

The Portuguese side were reluctant to cancel the fixture, despite 14 members of the club’s squad testing positive, in case they received a penalty from the league. so persevered without full strength squad.

They went a goal down after only one minute thanks to an own goal from Eduardo Kau, before conceding

another six before half-time.

Supporters began to leave the stadium before the teams returned for the second half, with Belenenses emerging on to the pitch five minutes later than Benfica.

Footballers and fans on social media watched on with bewilderment.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva took to Twitter and said: ‘What is this? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why the game hasn’t been postponed?’

Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves responded to Silva, saying: ‘Exactly, friend. It’s not really understandable, or else we’re not thinking well.’

Elsewhere, Welsh rugby clubs Cardiff and Scarlets, as well as Irish side Munster, have been left stranded in South Africa in the face of travel bans following the emergence of the new Omicron strain.

They are unlikely to have returned to the United Kingdom before the 4am deadline set by the Government for them to avoid hotel quarantine, leaving the forthcoming Champions Cup fixtures in doubt.