Move to test ALL academy players

ThE Premier League are considering expanding their Covid- 19 testing programme to include academy players for the first time amid concerns about the virus spreading among youth players.

The Premier League’s Under 18 league returned last weekend after a month-long break, but only three matches were played following a mass of postponements due to the virus.

A number of clubs are testing academy players regularly, but there is no centralised programme such as that running at senior level which sees all first-team players tested twice a week.

In an indication of the growing concerns about the virus spreading at youth level, Chelsea closed their academy training base last week following several positive tests — all players and members of staff were told to isolate for 10 days.

While most clubs are keeping their academy players away from first-team squads to reduce the risk of transmission, there are still fears about the virus spreading which the introduction of regular testing could reduce.

A particular issue at academy level is that many youngsters are travelling to training on public transport, making them more vulnerable to infection.

The Premier League’s Under 23 and Under 18 competitions were curtailed last year during the first national lockdown.

But the Government have included male academy football in their elite sport exemption this season and the clubs are eager to keep going.

The Government’s decision to abolish so- called air corridors, which has effectively led to the introduction of a travel ban, has also led to concerns at several clubs about overseas youngsters being stuck in the country.

SIXTEEN new positive cases were reported among top-flight players and staff in the latest round of coronavirus testing, the Premier League have announced. The positives represent a drop of 20 compared to the last set of figures, and came from 3,115 players and staff who were tested between Monday last week and Sunday.