COVID-19 Plays Havoc With World Sport as Infection Rate Surges

General view of Old Trafford after Manchester United's Premier League match against Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium was postponed due to a number of positive coronavirus tests among players and staff in Manchester, Britain, on Dec. 14, 2021. (Jason Cairnduff/Action Images via Reuters/

World sport was again hit by COVID-19 infections on Thursday with soccer and rugby matches called off, a cricket series canceled, and holiday action in North America under threat.

A wave of new infections, driven by the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, suggested more postponements and cancellations will follow as sporting codes warily await the impact.