We can now confirm that due to our unwillingness to participate in tomorrow’s fixture on health and safety grounds, AFC Rushden & Diamonds have been given a walkover into the next round of the competition by the FA.
Whilst we are disappointed to no longer be involved in the competition, the decision came as no surprise and we wish AFC Rushden & Diamonds good luck for the next round and send our good wishes to the player who has tested positive for Covid-19.
We understand that football is treated slightly differently to other environments in respect of legislation and rules and are happy that our scheduled opponents and the Football Association followed the designated guidelines.
We felt, however, that the current guidelines for COVID-19 in football contradict the rules considerably in everyday life. We felt that a positive case of COVID within a group of players only given eight days out of the required 14 to show symptoms, was enough to see our attendance as a gamble with our players’ and staff’s health. This was a gamble we will never knowingly be prepared to take.
Combine the positive test with further players feeling unwell and Diamonds’ previous and following league fixtures being postponed, this only helped force a very difficult and unpopular decision but one I hope you all can support and respect.
As always, thank you for your continued support and all of you stay safe.