GRAEME SOUNESS was slammed on social media after suggesting he would be willing to play football even after testing positive for coronavirus.
The former Liverpool man, 67, appeared on Sky Sports’ Football Show to discuss the potential return of Premier League football.
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Graeme Souness came in for criticism after implying he would ignore a positive coronavirus test to play footballCredit: Getty – Contributor
But Souness hinted he would consider ignoring a positive test if it meant he could get back on the pitch.
He said: “If I test positive and a manager is pushing me to play, yeah I’d possibly go for it.
“You might call me irresponsible but if I was a player now, I’d be desperate to get back playing.
“Footballers have a social responsibility, but on the other side of it, football can do so much good.
“To answer your question, I think I could be persuaded to play if I felt fine and I tested positive, but that’s just me.”
But the comments did not go down well with viewers on Twitter, who blasted the Scot’s seemingly-selfish attitude amid the dangers of the global pandemic.
One said: “Graeme Souness has no doubt just said the dumbest thing since this whole Coronavirus situation has started.”
Another wrote: “Disgraceful talk from him, not only risking his health but most importantly other health!!!”
A third commented: “Anyone who is found guilty of doing this should be arrested. It’s no different than knowingly giving someone HIV.”
Referencing Souness’ reputation for blasting Paul Pogba at every opportunity, one user added: “Souness happily admitting that he’d risk other people’s health if he was a player and had coronavirus but Pogba can’t enjoy his brother’s wedding? Naa Naa!”
And a final tweet read: “What a poorly thought out comment. Reckless, endangering the lives of others and so very selfish. If it could be proven, then that action should be treated as a criminal offence.”
On Monday, Premier League clubs “unanimously” agreed at their latest “shareholder” meeting that all clubs can now enter “Stage One” of the training protocols.
That will allow basic non-contact drills as individuals or groups of no more than five per pitch, with staggered arrival times and all equipment disinfected before and after use.
However, players are set to face a 14-day quarantine before top-flight action can return – and even then, it could be behind closed doors for up to a year.
The decision is the first step towards a potential return to action in June but League medical chief Mark Gillett warned: “It’s very clear the public and social health situation is not going to change in the next six to 12 months.
“It is important that people understand that they will have to see these cultural changes.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters confirmed the suggested June 12 restart date was now seen as more of a “staging post”, signalling the need for at least three weeks of contact training which might put the resumption back as far as June 26.
Robertson, Wijnaldum and Minamino arrive at Melwood Training Facility as blue testing tent can be seen at entrance
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
