Artell says it was morally right to call the game off at Oxford after positive covid test.
David Artell understands that the most sensible decision was made to call off Saturday’s game at Oxford United after Omar Beckles tested positive for Coronavirus on the morning of the game.
The 28-year-old defender had shown no symptoms but in the wake of Ryan Wintle’s positive test in mid-week, underwent a private test to ease his own piece of mind due to the recent birth of his baby. Stories of Beckles travelling to the Kassam Stadium are false. He was returned home as soon as the positive result was known.
Artell told crewealex.net: “We had one of our players test positive for coronavirus on the morning of the game and once those discussions took place with the Oxford management, the medical people and the EFL, the game was called off.
“We were prepared to play. Oxford, quite rightly, said they were not prepared to expose their players to that and that is fully understandable. They don’t know if any else is infected and I understand that they didn’t want to take that risk.
“I think it was a sensible decision and I think it is a reflection of what can happen if you don’t test. I would like to think that we did the right thing morally. There is a greater good which is above football and I’m glad we did. I think it was the right thing to do.
Artell added: “The medical people, the EFL and the two clubs came up with the right decision. We know we have been Covid secure but this virus is highly contagious and it’s around. We can’t do anything about it and I am sure wherever that is a lack of testing things like this will happen. I am all for testing and our club is all for testing."