Fletcher’s concerns over June resumption of English football

Former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher admits he would have grave concerns about being asked to return to football amid the coronavirus pandemic because of his own medical condition.

The ex-manchester United and West Brom midfielder, who has effectively retired from the game after leaving Stoke City last summer, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis – an inflammatory bowel disease – in 2011.

English football has set a date of June 12 for resuming action, although several players, including on-loan Newcastle wing-back Danny Rose and Watford captain Tory Deeney, have already expressed their reservations over the plan.

And Fletcher insists he would not be comfortable about returning to the pitch as things stand.

He said: “With my illness, I would be one of those players that is a high risk.

“I’d be very concerned about that, but at the same time I love playing.

“It’s a massive concern. We’re not out of this situation, by any means. Footballers will not only be concerned for themselves and their lives, and the rest of their careers, but they’ll be worried about bringing it back to their family.

“Sport is important to everyone and we’ve all missed it but we’re talking about matters of life and death here and I think that guarantees would have to be in place – but who can guarantee that players are going to be safe?

“I don’t think anyone can guarantee that at this moment in time.”

However, Fletcher, who recently returned to United – a club he made 342 appearances for during an illustrious 13-year career at Old Trafford – in an informal ambassadorial role under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, admits he is likely to have played his last game of football.

Speaking to the BBC, the 36-year-old added: “I haven’t officially announced anything and I’m just happy to let time pass.”