PL SIDES TIRED OF TRIBUTES

A NUMBER of Premier League clubs are becoming more and more frustrated with the number of tributes and causepromoting they are being asked to carry out. Last week, sides were asked to observe a minute’s applause for John Motson in the latest request. The concern is that such gestures are becoming commonplace and will lower the significance of such acts when, for example, club legends pass away.

‘It’s grief fatigue and it’s too much — the bar has fallen way too low,’ said one well-placed source. ‘The belief is that the Premier League and FA are frightened of upsetting anyone and just agree to recognise everything. And it’s not just minute’s silences or applause. Managers are forever being asked to support so many different campaigns and causes that there is a lapel badge almost every week. It’s undermining impact.’