Newcastle lodged a request to the league to have the game rescheduled after the Public Health England North East (PHE) advised the club’s facilities be closed due to the increase in coronavirus infections.
According to the statement, Newcastle correctly notified PHE regarding a number of positive Covid-19 test results, in accordance with government and Premier League protocols. The Premier League board agreed the club was therefore unable to train and prepare safely and adequately for Friday’s match.
All players and training ground staff will be retested this week, and PHE and league officials will meet again to assess the situation.
The league did not set a new date for the postponed fixture, saying that decision will come in due course.