What reason does Conte believe justifies postponements?

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Conte Believes Only COVID-19 Outbreaks Justify Match Postponements

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has stated that the only valid reason for postponing football matches should be a COVID-19 outbreak within a squad. He expressed surprise and dismay at the Premier League's decision to postpone the north London derby against Arsenal, citing injuries and player absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations as insufficient grounds for cancellation. Conte's stance is that games should proceed unless a significant health crisis, like a widespread coronavirus infection, renders a team unable to field a sufficient number of players.
COVID-19 as the Sole Reason for Postponement

Conte's firm belief is that a COVID-19 outbreak is the singular justifiable cause for a match to be postponed. He has witnessed his own Tottenham squad suffer from such an outbreak in December, which led to several of their fixtures being called off. This experience appears to have solidified his view that the pandemic's direct impact on a team's playing capacity, through illness, should be the sole criterion for league-mandated postponements.
Surprise at Postponements Due to Injuries and Absences

Conte articulated his astonishment at the Premier League's decision to postpone the fixture against Arsenal based on injuries and players participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. He remarked that this is the first time in his extensive football career he has encountered a league postponing games due to player availability issues stemming from injuries or international duty. This situation is perceived as highly unusual and unexpected by the Tottenham manager.
Concerns Over Fixture Congestion

The postponement of 22 Premier League games over the preceding two months, including Tottenham's, raises concerns about fixture congestion later in the season. Conte suggested that if the league were to begin postponing matches for reasons like injuries, it might necessitate a re-evaluation of the fixture schedule to potentially reduce the overall number of games. His perspective is that teams should strive to play when possible, rather than seeking postponements for reasons other than a widespread health emergency.

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What reason does Conte believe justifies postponements?

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