West Ham’s Carabao Cup tie against Hull City was allowed to go ahead on Tuesday night despite the Premier League club’s manager, David Moyes, and two of their players being sent home after returning positive tests for Covid-19 shortly before kick-off at the London Stadium.
Medical officials from both clubs agreed to let the tie take place in line with health protocols and in consultation with the English Football League after it emerged that Moyes and two West Ham players, Issa Diop and Josh Cullen, were sent away from the ground after receiving their results.
None of Hull’s players had been tested. There was surprise when West Ham, who will face Everton or Fleetwood Town in the fourth round with a comfortable 5 -1 win, revealed the League One club had declined their offer to pay for tests for their team.
With events off the pitch dominating the focus, initially there was surprise at the game being allowed to commence. But West Ham’s players and staff were all tested on Monday and those who had returned negative results did not need to isolate. Social distancing measures were in place before results were received to minimise the risk of spread and Moyes, Cullen and Diop will follow government guidelines by self-isolating for 10 days.
The EFL said: “The League was made aware of a number of positive test results at West Ham United shortly before tonight’s Carabao Cup tie against Hull City. Those individuals affected are now following the relevant Premier League and Public Health England advice and guidance and we wish them a speedy recovery.
“That guidance permitted the match to go ahead as planned but not before the two Clubs’ medical teams, in conjunction with the EFL’s medical advisors, agreed all relevant protocols had been followed and both teams were comfortable in continuing.”
Testing is not mandatory in the EFL whereas it is in the Premier League. Tottenham had paid for Leyton Orient’s players to receive tests and their tie, due to take place on Tuesday night, was called off when the majority of the League Two club’s first‑team squad returned positive results. But Hull rejected a similar offer from West Ham.
“The club’s measures and protocols around Covid-19 remain stringent,” West Ham said. “This included offering to test the Hull City team ahead of tonight’s fixture – an offer which they opted not to accept.”
The drama began when Cullen and Diop were replaced in West Ham’s starting lineup before the warm-up and continued when Moyes did not take his place on the touchline at kick-off. West Ham, who eased into the fourth round of the competition after a 5-1 win, announced the positive tests 13 minutes into the game.
Moyes, Cullen and Diop were not showing symptoms and had arrived at the stadium for the game, only to be sent away after receiving their results. Alan Irvine, West Ham’s assistant manager, stood in for Moyes.
“The club’s medical team were informed of the test results as the team were at London Stadium preparing for this evening’s Carabao Cup third round tie against Hull City,” West Ham said. “The manager and both players immediately left the stadium and have returned home. All three, who are asymptomatic, will now follow Public Health England and Premier League guidelines and protocols. Everyone at West Ham United send their best wishes to David, Issa and Josh.”
Hull said: “We are satisfied that West Ham followed all guidelines and protocols upon receiving the positive results and, after consulting with the EFL, were comfortable with the game going ahead. The club will continue to stringently monitor the wellbeing of our players and staff as per Public Health England and EFL guidelines – as we have done since they were put in place – and we wish the West Ham manager and players the very best.”
Accoring to the Athletic Arsenal, who played West Ham at the weekend, recorded no positive tests yesterday.
West Ham, who face Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday, dominated. Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring with a fine volley, while Sebastien Haller and Andriy Yarmolenko both scored twice. Mallik Wilks grabbed a consolation for Hull.