PFA chief is to gauge players’ safety fears on resumption plan

FRASER WISHART is to canvass opinion from players in Scotland to ascertain the extent of their fears over safety in the event of football being given the go-ahead to return.

The PFA Scotland chief executive is part of one of the SFA’s sub-groups contributing to preparations for the comeback of the game.

Wishart (pictured) has tracked developments in England where the attempts to usher Premier League stars back towards action has been met with opposition in some quarters.

Watford captain Troy Deeney and Newcastle loanee Danny Rose have been vocal against aspects of Project Restart, citing fears for the health of their families if they resume the game soon.

Scotland and Norwich defender Grant Hanley stressed he harboured worries about going home to his pregnant partner after the proposed return to action.

With the Ladbrokes Premiership set to be called in the coming days to fall in line with the lower leagues, there is no prospect of Scottish football trying to finish like the English top flight.

And Wishart spoke of September or October as more realistic dates for the game to return.

When asked if he had been privy to players expressing fear over a restart in Scotland even as far away as the autumn, Wishart said: ‘We haven’t had any feedback yet.

‘But something that comes from this medical group is that I am going to speak to players and see if anyone is concerned.

‘You read research into some black and ethnic minorities being more likely to catch the virus, more likely to die from the virus as well. So there’s that aspect to it as we have a number of those players in our game.

‘Some players have diabetes, some have asthma, underlying health issues as well. Some might just be uncomfortable.

‘But I will be testing that, speaking to players in the coming week and that will form part of the consideration of the working group.

‘It’s not just a case of getting a safe environment and putting the game on, there are huge issues and complications.

‘We have discussed insurance to make sure players are covered. We might be entering an area where there may be shorter-term contracts, players are offered less money.

‘So we can’t have a situation where someone is picking up the virus and it might damage their career longer term.

‘Thankfully, the working groups are up and running with the SFA. We all have to try, in our own little way, to find solutions the SFA and SPFL can go back to the government with because at the end of the day the government will either say yes or no.’

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Wishart added: ‘The SFA’s medical working group will be key because football won’t start unless we can create a secure and safe environment.

‘It’s pretty much in the early stages but I am quite comforted by the standards of the professionals within and outwith the game that are sitting on this committee.

‘A lot of hard work has been done behind the scenes.’