Prem boss warns over high-fives and hugs...

PREMIER League chief executive Richard Masters has urged players to follow the league’s Covid-19 protocols and set a good example to the country.

All 20 teams are currently playing in front of empty stands, with the United Kingdom currently in a nationwide lockdown following a second spike in coronavirus cases.

The Premier League has recently announced a tightening of its Covid protocols, including twice-weekly testing, social distancing and the compulsory wearing of masks.

Masters wrote to all Premier League clubs on Wednesday underlining the importance of the rules after the latest round of testing, announced on Monday, revealed 36 new positives from 2,593 people tested.

Clubs have been reminded that ‘handshakes, high fives and hugs must be avoided’, while players should socially distance whenever possible on and off the pitch.

“We’re asking the players to adjust to the situation, that they understand that we’re in a fortunate position,”

Masters said in a statement on the Premier League’s website.

“We’re able to carry on, we’re able to ply our trade while millions of others aren’t and the rules are in place to keep people safe.

“We’re asking players to change their behaviours around those sort of social moments and at the beginning and the end of games. I’m sure they’ll adjust accordingly.”

Players have been criticised recently for embracing each other in goal celebrations, while images following last weekend’s FA Cup ties drew widespread condemnation on social media.

Several Premier League matches have been postponed this season following Covid outbreaks, including Aston Villa’s matches against Tottenham on Wednesday and Everton.

Masters believes the impact of coronavirus will be reduced by the new guidelines.

“We’ve had the first set of figures back and they are low,” he said. “They’re back to pre-Christmas numbers, so we’re hoping that isn’t a one-off but the start of a trend.”