Despite a spike in coronavirus cases that has forced enormous postponements and threatened to wreck the season, Premier League clubs decided against a temporary halt on Monday.
Only four of the weekend's ten games were played due to the new Omicron strain, which has resulted in a record number of positive Covid cases in the UK.
The Premier League board has been evaluating postponement requests on a case-by-case basis, but the decision-making process has been criticized, with fears that it jeopardizes the competition's competitive integrity.
There had been talk of a "firebreaker," with concerns that the Christmas fixtures' middle round, scheduled for December 28-30, may be postponed.
However, the English Premier League announced on Monday that games would continue over the hectic festive season, following a shareholders' meeting attended by officials from all 20 clubs.
"While acknowledging a number of clubs are facing Covid-19 breakouts and issues," the Premier League said in a statement, "it is the league's common goal to continue the present fixture calendar when safely practicable."
"The health and well-being of all parties is our first priority, and the League will continue to monitor and reflect public health recommendations while exercising caution."
According to the statement, 84 percent of participants had received at least one immunization dosage.
"The league continues to engage with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club employees, as well as to promote the Government's public-health vaccine messaging to clubs and the general public," the statement said. The English Football League verified this as well.
"Our two main goals throughout the pandemic have been to ensure the safety of individuals involved in EFL competitions and to ensure that the match schedule may continue where it is safe to do so," stated EFL chief executive Trevor Birch.
FA Cup replays for the third and fourth rounds have been scrapped to make room on the calendar, according to the Football Association.
Chelsea, who are six points behind Manchester City at the top of the standings, requested that their match against Wolves be called off on Sunday, but their request was denied despite seven positive Covid instances.
Title-chasing Liverpool also stumbled with a number of key players out due to coronavirus, in a drew 2-2 with Tottenham.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said on Sunday, "We were put in a significant risk of health and safety to the players, not just because of Covid, but also physically."
"From a medical standpoint, I'm really concerned because the squad has had four days of positive tests in a row. How will we be able to stop this if we continue to act as if it isn't happening? This is my opinion, and it is the medical opinion, but it is not the Premier League's opinion, so we must play," Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has asked for greater transparency in the decision-making process.
Despite four players testing positive, the Gunners were compelled to play at Brentford on the first weekend of the season and lost 2-0.
"We want to play by the same rules," Arteta said following Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Leeds on Saturday.
"I believe that's where they need to come forward. It must be explained what they consider is best for the competition," he continued.