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SEC shifts COVID policy, won’t require teams to forfeit

Dec 14, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks with Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jahvon Quinerly (13) on the bench during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Southeastern Conference basketball teams no longer will be required to forfeit games if they don’t have enough players available due to COVID-19.

The league announced its updated pandemic-related policy on Thursday.

Under the revised policies, teams will be required to play if they have at least seven scholarship players and one member of the coaching staff available. If they can’t meet those requirements, the game will be rescheduled, if possible, or declared a no contest.

The regulation change applies to both men’s and women’s basketball.

The previously established policy called for teams to forfeit if they didn’t have enough players. But the nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases has caused conferences to change their stance. On Wednesday, the Pac-12 and Atlantic Coast Conference were among those to revoke their forfeiture rules.

“As we have done since the onset of the pandemic, we continue to evaluate our policies and procedures related to COVID-19 based on the most current information,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a news release. “Circumstances have clearly changed since our interrupted game policy was implemented in August and this updated approach is intended to support healthy, fair and equitable competition.”

The SEC also will allow teams to request a postponement if “there are other compelling circumstances that warrant delay,” the conference said.

–Field Level Media

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