Mariners broke social distancing rules at club’s training ground
- PLAYERS CONGREGATED IN COMMUNAL AREAS - HOLLOWAY PLAYED DARTS WITH PLAYERS - GAMES WERE POSTPONED UNNECESSARILY
GRIMSBY Town are understood to have become the first football club fined for a breach of coronavirus safety rules which led to three fixtures being postponed.
The Mariners called off three League Two fixtures back in September after midfielder Jock Curran tested positive for Covid-19, with the entire squad being placed into self-isolation.
Games against Cheltenham, Bradford and Hull City were rearranged with Town’s squad out of action, with Bradford particularly critical of the manner in which they were informed by the club of the postponement. The EFL launched an investigation into the matters surrounding the postponement of the fixtures and, according to the BBC, the Mariners have been found to have broken social distancing rules at their Cheapside training ground.
Players are understood to have been allowed to congregate in communal areas, while former manager Ian Holloway is said to have admitted to investigators that he played darts with players, claiming it to be a training ground tool.
Players are thought to have also been car sharing, with the club failing to undertake an adequate risk assessment before reopening the kitchen at the training ground.
As part of the investigation, it was found that only two players needed to go into self-isolation after coming into close contact with Curran, meaning fixtures could have been fulfilled.
Town are understood to have accepted the findings of the EFL’s investigation and a penalty of just under £5,000, with the fine suspended until June 30.
The club will also face an EFL bill for the investigation of £13,000, as well as incurring all reasonable costs for the sides they were due to face at the time.
Town become the first football club to have been fined for a breach of Covid-19 protocols, with EFL chief executive Trevor Birch having urged clubs to avoid another “drastic” suspension of the season in a letter sent to all clubs.
“As a result of the emergence of a more virulent strain of the virus, it is more important than ever that all club staff and players vigilantly follow the processes we have worked hard to develop to keep our competitions on track and avoid a suspension, similar to the one encountered in March 2020, and the implications, particularly financial, associated with such a drastic course of action,” Mr Birch said.
“Throughout the pandemic, football has provided a glimmer of hope for many millions of people affected by restrictions but we all understand the scrutiny the game remains under.
“While football is permitted to continue the actions of all participants will clearly be under the microscope.
“I am therefore personally asking you to re-double your efforts, to check, amend and tighten your protocol accordingly, and ensure that players and staff are left in no doubt as to their responsibilities on matchdays.”