Norwich's preseason match canceled before kickoff due to COVID-19 cases

LONDON (AP) — Premier League club Norwich canceled its preseason match against Coventry hours before kickoff Wednesday because of COVID-19 cases.

The newly promoted Norwich reported a "small number" of positive tests in its squad and called off the game against second-division Coventry in Chesterfield.

"The decision was made as a precautionary measure following a small number of positive COVID-19 test results within City's first-team group," Norwich said in a statement.

Earlier, Aston Villa's friendly against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday was scrapped when the second-tier club similarly discovered a "small number of positive cases of COVID-19" in its squad.

"Unfortunately this was the only decision that could be made in the circumstances to protect the welfare of players and staff at both clubs," Forest manager Chris Hughton said.

Villa had been scheduled to host the game at its training ground.

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