Clemson coach says FSU used COVID-19 as excuse to forfeit game

Clemson University head football coach Dabo Swinney is suggesting that Florida State used a Clemson player’s positive coronavirus test as an excuse to avoid playing the college football powerhouse.

“If the standard to play was zero positive tests, then we would have never had a season,” Swinney said in his weekly video press conference late Sunday. “This game was not canceled because of COVID. COVID was just an excuse to cancel the game.”

“To be honest with you, I don’t think it has anything to do with their players. I have no doubt that their players wanted to play and would have played. Same with the coaches,” he added. “To me, the Florida State administration forfeited the game.”

WATCH: Here’s part of Dabo Swinney’s remarks tonight regarding yesterday’s situation at FSU. Making no effort to hide his frustration.

“We met the standard to play, and we should’ve played… This game was not canceled because of COVID, COVID was an excuse to cancel the game.” pic.twitter.com/IWP3kbS8PE

— Cam Gaskins (@CamGaskinsTV) November 22, 2020

The symptomatic, unidentified Clemson player’s test returned positive Saturday after he had traveled to Tallahassee, Fla., with the team, according to CBS Sports. He reportedly tested negative twice in the preceding week and was in isolation at the time he got his results back.

The game has yet to be rescheduled, but Swinney suggested that if his team should be reimbursed by Florida State if it has to travel to Tallahassee again.

“If they want to play Clemson, in my opinion, they need to come to Clemson or they need to pay for all expenses,” Swinney said. “Other than that, there’s no reason for us to play them. We were there, we were ready and we met the standard.”