Clubs put money before our health, fume players
PREMIER LEAGUE stars fear club executives have secretly disregarded their health concerns as acrimony lingers over the decision to carry on playing despite the surge in Covid cases. Sportsmail reported yesterday how top-flight footballers and coaches were on a collision course with officials at their own clubs after it was decided on Monday that the Premier League would press ahead with festive fixtures. A significant number of players and staff feel a break should have been enforced to ease the health risks attached to competing while the illness is so prevalent. Those feelings had been communicated to club officials before Monday’s meeting of all 20 clubs where it was decided that a ‘circuitbreaker’ was not needed. And Sportsmail has been told that as many as 15 clubs on the video conference call spoke in favour of continuing to play. Liverpool and Arsenal were among a minority who pushed for a hiatus due to concerns over the welfare of football personnel. As a result, angry players and coaches feel that club executives have paid their apprehensions mere lip-service. There is a sense that clubs have put finances ahead of their health and safety amid the threat of incurring major losses during the lucrative festive period. Money was undoubtedly an issue in the decision to continue playing, but other factors — including the potential for a fixture pile-up at the end of the season — were also a consideration for clubs. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted player welfare should be a key consideration during the recent surge in Covid cases. On Friday, Brentford boss Thomas Frank led calls for a break in play, calling for all of last weekend’s fixtures to be called off and saying he had spoken to other managers who were in agreement. Intriguingly, however, sources claim Brentford were among the most ardent supporters of the season continuing as normal during Monday’s meeting — and yesterday Frank appeared to U-turn on his comments saying he now wants to carry on playing.
Similarly, Thomas Tuchel said it was ‘very hard to understand’ why Chelsea’s game against Wolves on Sunday was allowed to go ahead after his club had a request to postpone the clash rejected by the Premier League following a Covid outbreak within the squad.Yesterday, however, the German was less assertive. Clubs place huge importance on having clear alignment on certain issues with what their manager says publicly. Indeed, the apparent backtracking yesterday was noted by rivals. The Premier League are due to
hold two further Zoom meetings this week, one for managers and another for captains and senior players. It is understood that those who have been in favour of a short-term shutdown will use the meetings to express their concerns at the decision to carry on. Meanwhile, it is believed at least two top-flight clubs have vaccination rates at about 50-60 per cent. It emerged on Monday that 16 per cent of Premier League players have not been vaccinated and at least two teams continue to find difficulty in trying to convince their players to be jabbed.