Report: New CBA includes personal coronavirus restrictions

A requirement that players take personal responsibility for their health during the COVID-19 pandemic is included in the collective bargaining agreement reached on Friday, according to NBC Sports.

Per the report, players would be barred from attending indoor nightclubs, indoor bars, indoor house parties with 15-plus people and indoor concerts. They also may not take part in indoor church services unless they are at 25 percent or less capacity.

Players also would not be allowed to attend other sporting events.

The rule for indoor bars would not apply to a player picking up food.

While it wasn’t clear how players would be monitored, they reportedly would be fined if found in violation. If a player tests positive after one of these activities, he also would forfeit pay for games missed and potentially void future guaranteed money.

The NFL Players Association team representative voted to approve the proposed changes on Friday.

“Our NFLPA Board of Representatives voted to adopt, by a count of 29-3, the proposed amendments to the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement to protect our players’ health, safety and financial well-being,” the board said in a press release.

According to multiple reports, the key agreements included maintaining the salary cap for 2020 at $198.2 million per team and setting the 2021 salary cap at a minimum of $175 million. If the league’s revenues are more than anticipated, the cap floor could rise.

In addition, the agreement allows teams to spread losses stemming from the coronavirus pandemic over four years starting in 2021, NFL Network reported. (Reuters) - Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic would rather Serie A was not played next season if it meant more matches without fans, he said yesterday.

Mihajlovic, who has continued coaching this season despite being treated for leukaemia, complained of “frigid football” and said that matches had been worse than training sessions.

“It’s not a question of motivation but playing without an audience is a pain,” he told reporters. “Playing without fans for a long time is tiring.

“I know it was the only way to finish the season, but I hope the stadiums will be open from September. If I had to choose between not playing next season or playing behind closed doors, I’d rather not play.”

Fans have been banned from stadiums because of the COVID-19 pandemic although sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said on Friday that they could be allowed back in September depending on the public health situation.

“This football isn’t football,” said Mihajlovic whose side are 12th in the table and host relegation-threatened Lecce on Sunday.

“It’s played every three days in incredible heat. The championship is distorted. It’s frigid football that doesn’t excite me. These matches are worse than practice. Playing like this is a pain and it’s not just me who thinks like this.”