THE Premier League was plunged into crisis tonight as more stars were poleaxed by coronavirus.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele were the latest confirmed to have Covid-19.
Eight Chelsea aces have been forced to stay at home after falling foul of government guidelines.
Cases could rocket further after holidaying stars partied at pools, bars and clubs.
Fans fear the new season — just 15 days away — may be delayed.
Tonight ex-England star Chris Waddle called on the Uefa Nations League to be voided to give the Premier League a chance of kicking off on September 12 — eight weeks after the last season ended.
Up to three England players are understood to have tested positive and may miss games against Iceland and Denmark.
Waddle said: “It’s crazy and all about money. Why are we asking players to get on a plane and put themselves at risk of coronavirus to play meaningless friendlies?
“It’s difficult enough with the Premier League starting so soon and players having to quarantine.”
14 NEW CASES
After the 2019/20 season restarted in June, players and staff were following strict coronavirus rules and tested twice a week.
But many have been abroad since the season ended.
Up to seven out of 20 top-flight clubs reportedly have at least one player who has tested positive, or are quarantining with symptoms.
Fourteen new cases have been reported at 12 clubs since teams returned to training.
The figures are unofficial, with the league only expected to regularly publish test results when the campaign starts.
England’s Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham, plus Fikayo Tomori and Christian Pulisic are among Chelsea aces in isolation.
Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Emerson and Michy Batshuayi have also been ordered to stay at home.
Dimitris Christoforidis said some Chelsea players visited his Sant Anna Beach Club in Mykonos, Greece, last week.
He added: “They were going out a lot to bars, clubs and restaurants where there are other people and places are not properly ventilated.”
None of the stars have reported for training yet to minimise the risk of infection.
The club is due to play Brighton in a friendly on Saturday.
Chelsea would not comment but it is known there are a number of cases at the club.
Two unnamed England stars have tested positive after holidaying in Greece.
Mykonos does not require a mandatory period of quarantine upon return to the UK.
But anyone who has been in contact with someone who is positive while on the island must stay home for seven days.
West Ham’s Declan Rice holidayed with pal Mount and the other Chelsea stars in Mykonos, as did ex-Leicester pair Danny Drinkwater and Ben Chilwell.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli was seen with Leicester’s James Maddison and Villa’s Jack Grealish in Ibiza.
There is no suggestion any player has tested positive, or that they contributed to the spread of Covid.
France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Pogba’s positive test today.
United added: “Everybody wishes Paul a speedy recovery.”
Pogba had been pictured out in London restaurant Cipriani with his pregnant wife last weekend.
Red Devils’ defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka must isolate for 14 days after travelling to Dubai, which is on the UK’s warning list,
Man City’s Raheem Sterling has tested negative after attending the birthday party of sprint champ Usain Bolt, who has the virus.
All top-flight clubs face testing in the next few days. Players are expected to be tested only once a week when the new season starts.
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