HUGGING HOGS THE AGENDA AT PREM SUMMITS

THE Premier League yesterday began a series of meetings with all captains and managers to address the issue of coronavirus protocols – including how to celebrate a goal.

It comes amid further warnings that the Government could step in unless the rules are respected.

Premier League director of football Richard Garlick is in charge of the meetings, which started with two yesterday ahead of another two today, with every captain or PFA representative and manager expected to attend one of them.

Aston Villa’s match with Everton on Sunday was the latest game to be called off yesterday.

And after a surge of cases and postponements, the league have sent out a new set of rules, which include players being told to stop hugging, handshakes and

high-fives as well as reinforcing the message on shirt-swapping and training-ground protocol.

Goal celebrations have become an issue because clubs were ordered to tone them down but many players continued as normal during the midweek Premier League fixtures.

Cardiff manager Neil Harris described the protocols as “a joke,” adding: “If they are that worried, stop the game.”

One captain asked at yesterday’s meeting what the difference was between goal celebrations and marking at a corner. He was told the worry is more about the “image” that footballers are not worried about social distancing while the rest of the country is locked down.

Leicester winger Marc Albrighton, above, said: “With goals, it’s difficult to not celebrate but we have to be cautious and abide by the guidelines.”