Wigan Athletic boss wants answers over Covid controversy

Latics were beaten 3-0 at the Alexandra Stadium last Saturday - a scoreline which flattered the visitors - but that told only half the story.

Crewe's match the previous weekend at Oxford had been postponed just over 30 minutes before the scheduled 3pm kick-off on October 3 after defender Omar Beckles tested positive for coronavirus.

That followed a positive test for team-mate Ryan Wintle earlier that week and, on October 7, it emerged that two more members of the squad had also tested positive.

To the huge surprise of the Wigan camp, Beckles and Wintle subsequently both played in last weekend's game - leading many to wonder how that fitted into government guidelines regarding self-isolation.

The story then saw another plot twist in midweek, when Crewe then called off the rescheduled match against Oxford due to Covid-19.

"The decision has been taken after fully considering the relevant guidance from the Government and EFL," read a Crewe statement.

"The football club will now continue to work with the EFL to ensure our fixture with Blackpool (scheduled for Saturday) and subsequent games go ahead as planned."

Not surprisingly, the whole situation has left Sheridan completely non-plussed.

When asked whether he was surprised to see the team sheet at Crewe, the Latics boss said: "Yeah, I was surprised.

"We were working with the information we were given - obviously the game previous to us, against Oxford, was called off - and it was a big shock when we saw those two on the team sheet.

"And it was an even bigger shock when I saw their next game (against Oxford on Tuesday night) was called off as well.

"It's a funny one, but all I can do is concentrate on preparing us for the next game.

"It's been left in other people's hands, there's people looking into the situation, and hopefully it'll all get sorted out."

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