London: Premier League clubs on Friday reconfirmed their commitment to finish the 2019/20 season subject to coronavirus restrictions being lifted in Britain despite fears expressed by players. Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero admitted players were scared about being rushed back into action.
“Obviously, the majority of players are scared but above all because they have children, babies and family, they might live with their parents,” Aguero told Spanish show El Chiringuito TV.
“If we return I am sure everyone will be tense because the minute one person starts to feel ill, it will be ‘what’s going on there?’.” Players would potentially face weeks away from their families, quarantined in hotels.
The English top flight faces an eye-watering estimated loss of around USD 1.25 billion if no more football is played due to the global pandemic.
Playing the 92 remaining games behind closed doors would mitigate that loss, avoiding the need to repay hundreds of millions to broadcasters.
But the Premier League faces huge logistical difficulties in its attempts to return to action, with Britain one of the countries worst-hit by COVID-19.
The league and clubs discussed possible steps towards resuming the season at a meeting on Friday.
“The league and clubs are considering the first tentative moves forward and will only return to training and playing with government guidance, under expert medical advice and after consultation with players and managers,” the Premier League said in a statement.
“The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019/20 season, maintaining integrity of the competition and welcomed the government’s support.”
The British government is due to review a nationwide lockdown on May 7 and Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised on Thursday to provide a “roadmap” towards easing restrictions.
Legal challenges
Liverpool are on the brink of their first league title for 30 years with a 25-point lead at the top of the table. However the Premier League is keen to avoid potential legal challenges over the awarding of much more tightly contested European places, relegation and promotion if the season cannot be completed.
“I am hoping that it doesn’t come to that scenario,” said Brighton striker Glenn Murray.
“That is far-fetched, to spend eight weeks away from your family is quite a big ask.”
A large supply of privately sourced tests would be needed for players, coaches and backroom staff. Testing has been a thorny political issue during the pandemic in Britain, with many frontline workers unable to access tests until recently.
‘It only takes one case’
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who owns a stake in League Two side Salford City, is one of many who believes that economic factors are overriding safety considerations.
“How many people have to die playing football in the Premier League before it becomes unpalatable?” Neville told Sky Sports.
“If it was a non-economic decision there would be no football for months.”
Just providing the tests necessary to get the ball rolling is a political headache.
According to reports, players, coaches and backroom staff would need to be tested two to three times a week. “If football was to resume then testing will be key and an extra layer of training will be required,” former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro told the BBC.
“It only takes one case for all of this to blow up.” (AFP)
