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Roy Hodgson happy to let Premier League decide venue for Leicester game

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

09:35 30 Jun 2020


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Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson says he's happy to face Leicester at a neutral venue if the King Power Stadium is unable to host the Premier League game.

Leicester are due to face Palace on Saturday but a local lockdown has been imposed on the city of Leicester by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

The UK government has confirmed that it will happen in the next couple of days, as other parts of England prepare to ease restrictions.

The local lockdown in Leicester is no longer a recommendation - as ministers are set to change the law to enforce it.

With non-essential travel barred into and out of Leicester, the Foxes three remaining home games may be switched to neutral venues.

Speaking after last night's 1-0 defeat to Burnley, Hodgson said he was relaxed about any potential change of venue.

"I did hear on the news today there was a potential problem in Leicester," the Palace manager said.

"I am perfectly happy to let the Premier League take care of that. I am certain they will tell us where and when the game should be played.

"I am certain if they can’t play at Leicester, they will find an alternative venue and we are happy to go up and play against Leicester City wherever the Premier League tells us to play."

Leicester are currently third in the Premier League and on course for a Champions League place but they have yet to win since football restarted in June.

Rodgers was asked about the prospect of a local lockdown after Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, when the announcement was yet to be made.

"It is something I am not really thinking about. It is all hypothetical at the moment. We will just continue our work," the Leicester boss said.

"Nothing has changed in terms of how we have been working thus far in this situation but I've always said we will react accordingly. We have to have agility in this period.

"It's a very safe environment for the games to be in. We will just keep working until we are told otherwise.

"I think in this moment in time we are in the safest place we can be in terms of our work, the stadium also."


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Coronavirus Crystal Palace Leicester Premier League Roy Hodgson

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