CAPTAINS TOLD: CUT OUT THE CUDDLES
Lamps vows crackdown on mass celebrations and says his Blues will practise socially-distanced routines
THE Premier League yesterday began a series of meetings with all captains and managers to find a solution to the 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
FRANK LAMPARD is ready to lead a clampdown on goal celebrations by ordering his players to practise new routines in training.
Chelsea’s boss is willing to try to ban group hugs to implement the Premier League’s crackdown.
As league chiefs hold a series of meetings with captains, PFA reps and managers to reinforce a strong message they must observe stronger protocols, Lampard is ready for change.
Lampard confirmed he will have a look at doing a “dry run” for different routines on the training pitch ahead of games.
So, could it now mean the Aylesbury Ducks might land at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea score?
Who can forget those celebrations in 1994, when nonleague Aylesbury scored against Kingstonian in the FA Cup and the entire team got down on their knees and waddled? Or Peter Crouch’s iconic robot dance?
Or Jimmy Bullard’s infamous celebration when he pretended to tick off his Hull team-mates in 2009 as a light-hearted dig at manager Phil Brown? Or Wayne
Rooney, who in 2015 celebrated a goal against Spurs by cheekily referencing a home video in which he appeared to have been punched by pal Phil Bardsley?
Lampard (above, inset), whose side go to Fulham tomorrow evening, said: “We practise social distancing as much as we can in the training ground. On the pitch it can be difficult at times, clearly, because you have to train and get close to each other.
“But every moment you possibly can and in training, the instinct or the moment shouldn’t grab you as much. You see a lot of these group hugs now when they win a five-a-side, so that will be something we’ll look at.”
The Premier League has urged captains to look at celebrations, with the point being made when football returned last June they were quite muted. But now they have slowly crept back.
Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland has been held up as an example after he scored in the Bundesliga’s first game back last year, when team-mates kept their distance as he did a jig of delight.
But Cardiff boss Neil Harris described efforts to stop footballers celebrating “a joke”.
He said: “They were not that worried last week when they made teams play in the FA Cup with kids. Honestly it’s a joke.
“Calm people might be able to score, think about it and say, ‘Oh actually, yes, we have to be careful’. But if they are that worried, we should stop playing.”