MARTIN DEFENDS PLAYERS OVER JABS
SWANSEA CITY manager Russell Martin has defended players who are refusing to get vaccinated against Covid-19 – even though the virus continues to hit every club in the country.
He has not been vaccinated himself due autoimmune issues, but insists he is not an anti-vaxxer.
But Martin is clear that personal choice should be respected and for the same reason the 35-year-old is against vaccine passports for fans. While 20 per cent of the UK adult population are yet to have double jabs, research by the EFL showed that figure is far higher among footballers.
Almost one third of EFL players have swerved the needle and it’s thought the figure could be even higher in the Premier League.
Martin insisted: “It comes down to individual choice. I don’t believe it should ever be compulsory to put something into your body, that you’re unsure about. I am not antivax at all.
“All my kids have had their jabs and throughout my playing career players had flu jabs.
“But, fundamentally, this is something that has not been around for very long.
“If some of the guys don’t want to do it because it’s not going to affect them very much personally – and all the vulnerable people in their life have had protection – then I have to support my players.
If they want the vaccination, I will support them. If they don’t, I will support them.
“It comes down to individual choice.”
As the Government ponders vaccine passports for fans, Martin added: “The thought of people not being able to enter places without double vaccination certificates seems odd to me. It doesn’t stop you getting the illness.”