CREWE Alexandra boss David Artell has launched a robust defence of their actions in the wake of their second postponement against Oxford United.

It included accusations U's head coach Karl Robinson had spread "falsehoods" to get the game postponed.

He also claimed several of his players received calls from Robinson.

The game had been rearranged for Tuesday, ten days after the original clash at the Kassam Stadium was called off due to a positive coronavirus test in the visitors' camp.

A round of testing early last week found two more cases, but Crewe took the field last Saturday, beating Wigan Athletic 3-0 with a side which included two players who had been self-isolating.

But four hours before kick-off in midweek the game was postponed, with the EFL releasing a statement which said: "Following consultation with the club, they have determined they're unable to fulfil the fixture."

While admitting he did not know what had happened to prompt the action, Robinson argued if Crewe had been found to have broken coronavirus rules, he felt United should be awarded the points.

The United boss made it clear they were ready to play, going on to hold an intra-squad game at the Kassam Stadium that evening.

But Artell today responded, telling the club's website: "He (Robinson) questioned the integrity of me and this football club and I think what he has said is a disgrace.

"It has been all falsehoods, fake news is the modern term, to get that game postponed.

“We had no positive cases, no-one was ill and we were made to say we couldn’t play and I was livid. I am still livid."

He added: “He is there phoning my players, one of them has never even played for him! He just rang him randomly.

"He is ringing my players on the day of a game. Why are you doing that? I have never heard about it as a player or as a manager. It is ridiculous.

“I completely understand the first postponement because no-one could foresee that happening on the day of the game, but Tuesday was nothing like that.

“I understand that the EFL act cautiously but there has to be some justification to it and not just based on falsehoods and accusations from another football club and them kicking off.

“That is what happens when you cannot test. We have been tested again this week because of this and we have had them all back, players and staff… all negative."

Oxford United have declined to comment.

Crewe are preparing to visit Blackpool tomorrow, while the game with the U's has been rearranged for Tuesday, November 17.