Rapid virus testing for squads in Premier League sparks outcry

PREMIER LEAGUE footballers are scheduled to start being tested for coronavirus on Thursday, with clubs told to expect their results in just 24 hours, sparking further controversy over Project Restart.

The speed at which players can expect to receive their results is certain to raise questions among essential workers, including those in the NHS and social care, plus anyone aged over 65 with symptoms, who are all advised to wait between 48 and 72 hours for results from the UK government’s testing scheme.

Dr John Ashton, the former director of public health in the North West, said: “I don’t think we should be doing this until everybody has a level playing field. If football can get results in this amount of time, then why can’t everybody else?”

The Premier League has agreed a £4m deal with the Hong Kong biotechnology company Prenetics to provide coronavirus testing for players and staff, which is due to start next week.

Clubs have been told that, barring any hitches or delays, the first day of testing will be Thursday, with the Premier League setting up stations for each club at which independent practitioners will test players.

Some clubs expect the stations to be set up at private locations for their players to effectively take drive-through tests, while other clubs could request them to be positioned at training facilities.

Advantage

While the speed of the turnaround may not please some outside football, it is an advantage for clubs needing to receive results before being able to carry out other essential testing.

Ahead of any group training, however restricted, clubs will conduct a series of “pre-season” tests on their squads, such as heart checks. These cannot be carried out until the first wave of coronavirus testing has been completed. Some of the medical protocols could be discussed in Monday’s meeting between the clubs and the Premier League.

Prof Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “What this shows is that you can get relatively fast results for people if you have got the resources. But there is also the question of scale. The number of essential workers and over-65s runs into the millions, while there are far fewer footballers to test.”

Initially, training sessions will comprise groups of five players and three staff. The players will not use training-ground buildings in the first phase of the projected return. They will be obliged to arrive in their kit and go straight to the pitches.

The original plan was to build up to a May 18 start for full-contact training, although that is now likely to be pushed back to later in the month. (© Daily Telegraph, London)