DAVE Artell has branded Oxford's actions "unacceptable" after Tuesday's League One clash was called off.

The Crewe manager says he is disappointed that the "integrity" of his club has been questioned after they were put in a position of having to inform the EFL they could not fulfil the fixture.

Oxford boss Karl Robinson said Crewe should forfeit the three points after the game was postponed for the second time in 10 days.

But Artell says he and his players were ready to play until the drama unfolded behind the scenes.

Crewe's players and staff underwent a further round of testing after the cancellation and reported no further positive tests. Public Health England officials have also been into the Reaseheath training ground to examine protocols.

"Apparently Karl Robinson has got all the answers and it's despicable what he's said," said the Crewe manager.

"I don't know why the game was called off. We've not broken any rules with Public Health England and it is only because Oxford were kicking up a stink."

Crewe have previously returned four positive Covid-19 tests; the first Oxford fixture was called off when Omar Beckles received his result on the day of the game (October 3).

The defender played in Crewe's 3-0 win over Wigan on October 10.

But Artell stressed that the club were given written permission by the EFL to involve Beckles in the Gresty Road game.

Yet on Tuesday with the potential for a misconduct charge hanging over them ahead of the re-arranged visit to the Kassam Stadium, Crewe informed the governing body they couldn't play.

Artell says he doesn't know whether the club will be penalised with a points deduction.

"Not to my knowledge, but I've no idea what happens behind the scenes," said the manager.

"We've broken no rules. There's an integrity of competition hanging over this football club.

"There is a problem with testing and it leaves it open for people to manipulate the system. I take my hat off to Karl (Robinson) it was a clever thing to do."

The Crewe boss adds he was dismayed that Robinson had been in contact with some of his players and claimed Oxford were guilty of spreading "fake news"

"He has rung our players three times, he was phoning two of my players on the day of the game and that is just unprofessional and ridiculous," added Artell, who says he would welcome a more rigorous testing regime for EFL clubs.

"We've kept our powder dry all week. My chairman and board are well respected and I've not seen them as incredulous as they were on Tuesday.

"Karl Robinson is questioning the integrity of people who work hard for this football club with no grounds to do so."

Crewe's players returned to their training ground today (Friday) and tomorrow's visit from Blackpool is scheduled to go ahead.

The EFL says it is talking to the club and Public Health England.

The Oxford game has been re-arranged for a second time to Tuesday, November 17.

In a week of uncertainty, midfielder Tommy Lowery's contract extension struck a note of positivity with boss Artell welcoming it is as "great news".

The homegrown midfielder, 22, who would have been out of contract next summer, has penned a fresh two-year deal which could see him stay at Gresty Road until 2022.