THE Betfred Championship fixture between Halifax Panthers and Sheffield Eagles which was scheduled for Sunday (May 16) has been postponed.

Seven members of Sheffield’s playing staff have been identified as positive Covid-19 cases (2) or close contacts (5).

Seven players being ruled out for Covid-related reasons is the minimum which permits the postponement of a fixture under the RFL’s Protocols.

In addition, the club have postponed their scheduled training sessions for the rest of this week.

The fixture will now be rearranged for the weekend of June 5-6, one of the two available match slots for rearrangements in the 2021 Betfred Championship season.

This is the first Betfred Championship fixture to be postponed since the competition resumed five weeks ago, and the first Rugby League fixture of any form to be postponed as a result of positive Covid-19 tests in 2021.