West Ham manager David Moyes tests positive for coronavirus alongside players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen

Trio left London Stadium at once as rest of squad and coaching staff went ahead with Carabao Cup tie against Hull

Alex Pattle
Wednesday 23 September 2020 09:33 BST
(Getty Images)
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West Ham manager David Moyes has tested positive for coronavirus along with Hammers players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen.

The trio found out they had contracted the virus moments before the club’s Carabao Cup third-round hosting of Hull City on Tuesday night. 

As such, Moyes, defender Diop and midfielder Cullen left the London Stadium at once, with assistant coach Alan Irvine taking charge of the rest of the squad as they went ahead with the match against the League One side.

A statement release by West Ham during the game on Tuesday night read: “West Ham United can confirm that David Moyes, Issa Diop and Josh Cullen have returned positive tests for Covid-19.

“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. 

“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. 

“Tuesday’s match will go ahead as planned, with Assistant Manager Alan Irvine taking charge of the team.”

The statement added that West Ham’s protocols around coronavirus have been “stringent”, including an offer to test Hull players and staff – “an offer which they opted not to accept”.

Diop and Cullen had originally been named in the starting XI to face Hull.

Tottenham’s scheduled Carabao Cup tie at Leyton Orient did not go ahead on Tuesday evening following an outbreak of coronavirus in the hosts’ squad.

“A number of first-team players” tested positive for Covid-19 according to an Orient statement on Monday, and the decision was made by the English Football League on Tuesday for the game not to take place.

It is still unclear whether the match will be rescheduled, forfeited by one side or scrapped altogether.

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