Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Lampard – Dictating emotions is so difficult
CHELSEA head coach Frank Lampard has warned it will be difficult to “dictate emotion” and prevent footballers hugging as part of goal celebrations.
Such celebrations are specifically mentioned in guidance sent to clubs by the Premier League as part of protocols designed to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Despite that, a number of league games this week have featured players massing together to celebrate a goal, actions described as “brainless” by the MP who chairs the key parliamentary committee related to sport.
Lampard accepts football and its players have to take their responsibilities seriously, but says it is not always easy in the heat of the moment.
“So to control the emotions is a fair ask, but to dictate emotion will probably be very difficult on the pitch,” he said.
“Let’s just see how this goes because as it goes along we will see if players can control it. I hope they can.”
Premier League managers and captains are attending a series of virtual meetings set up by the league to talk through the new protocols.
All eyes will be on Anfield on Sunday as champions Liverpool welcome leaders Manchester United.
United midfielder Paul Pogba says players will change their celebrations to comply with the guidelines.
“We will find another way, we will find another way to celebrate and be happy,” Pogba told Sky Sports.
“These rules, we have to respect them and we have to do it for the safety of everyone. We have been doing very well in Manchester.
“I did have it but that was when I was home. It’s not a problem as long as everyone is safe and that is the most important thing.”
Lampard’s Leicester counterpart, Brendan Rodgers, said: “If players make mistakes celebrating a goal, it is an honest mistake. It is instinct, and an instinct for as long as they have ever known.
“But if it means not being able to celebrate a goal then it is something we have to look at and if it helps then we will do it for sure.”
Elite sport – including professional football – has been given the go-ahead by Government to continue despite a new national lockdown placing tight restrictions on many areas of life.
In that context, Julian Knight, the MP who chairs the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, said players’ actions were indefensible.
“Some of the scenes we have seen have been brainless and give out an awful message,” he said.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch warned his organisation’s clubs earlier this week they were “under the microscope” as never before.
At Premier League and EFL level, clubs are expected to investigate protocol breaches themselves, with the leagues then able to ‘come over the top’ if they feel not enough has been done.