Was this a ploy to give the players a breather?

Don’t understand why we didn’t have them on Sat unless I was missing something!

Other Premier league matches had ball-boys or 'pitchside spherical projectile monitors' present at their matches so I don't see why Palace couldn't have organised them as well!
Or couldn't they get in the ground via their digital wallets on time!!!
The balls are supposed to be sanitised however they still used them when returned from the crowd without replacing/wiping them!
The Brentford player even stuffed it up his shirt to wipe it before throwing it, is he even vaccinated?
If they were really that worried about it surely these ball-boys could wear gloves.