Oxford United chairman, Sumrith ‘Tiger’ Thanakarnjanasuth, has released a statement with a message from the board following the postponement of all EFL matches due to the coronavirus.
The league have suspended matches until April 3 at the earliest, before adding yesterday that they will do whatever it takes to complete the current season.
As it stands, the U’s sit 3rd in League One and are on course for promotion to the Championship. Obviously, fulfilling the fixtures would be the most logical scenario, it could also benefit Oxford United with their current league status.
Tiger said: “We respect the EFL’s decision to suspend the league programme. They are in an impossible situation and have to put the health of players, staff and fans first.
“At the moment the league is due to return on 3rd April and because of that, we have to be ready to play on that date.
“The players are staying fit but will have to return to training together soon if they are to be ready as a team and that means the coaches, physios, the sports scientists, the analysts and the rest of the backroom staff will have to be there with them.
“Personally, I think we simply have to play all of the games. Because of our cup success, we have played more games than most teams but the league has always been the main priority and so much hard work has gone into it that we believe we deserve the right to finish the job and hopefully achieve promotion.”
Oxford were due to travel to promotion rivals Wycombe Wanders this weekend before welcome fellow highflyers Portsmouth to Grenoble Road next time around.
As it stands, the U’s away trip to Rochdale on April 4 is still going ahead as planned unless the EFL delay any fixtures further.
