WEST HAM have followed Newcastle in banning players from shaking hands and ordering them to use fist pumps instead around the training ground.
The Hammers sat down with their medical team to understand the full dangers posed by the threat of coronavirus.
David Moyes has told his players to fist-bump rather than shake hands amid coronavirus fearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
As a result, each player and member of staff has been issued with bottles of hand gel which they have been told to carry at all times and use regularly to ensure their cleanliness and reduce the risk of germs spreading.
Boss David Moyes said: “Our medical team, we had a discussion.
“Took the decision to supply all our players with hand gel, which they carry in all their cars and travel with them as well.
“As often as they possibly can they use it to keep their hands clean. This is the advice we’ve gotten from our medical team.
“Also in the building we’ve agreed first bumps, no shaking hands at the moment. We’re all happy with that.”
West Ham take on in-form Southampton at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Victory would ensure the Hammers move out of the relegation zone as 17th-placed Aston Villa are in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday so do not have a Premier League fixture.
Asked if the players can still celebrate if they find the net, Moyes added: “Of course they can. Hopefully we’re scoring tomorrow.”
Earlier on Friday, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce revealed the measures the Magpies are taking to reduce the risk of the deadly virus spreading, following doctors’ suggestions to stop shaking hands.
Brits were warned by Chief Medical Officer for England Prof Chris Whitty they face months of coronavirus chaos with sporting events, gigs and schools on lockdown to stop the spread of the killer bug.
An emergency shutdown could mean this summer’s Euros tournament, Premier League games, the FA Cup Final, Grand National and Glastonbury are all under threat.
The Prem may be forced to hold emergency crisis talks to decide whether Liverpool can be crowned champions if coronavirus wipes out the end of the season.
The Reds are currently just 12 points away from clinching their first title since 1990, and only nine points away should Manchester City lose a game.
While there is no suggestion the campaign will be axed, there is no contingency plan in the league’s own regulations which addresses what would happen if the season suddenly had to be scrapped before it is completed.
It could mean stakeholders – the 20 top flight clubs – and the Premier League Board having emergency talks to thrash out whether to effectively wipe out the current campaign or use points gained up until the moment it was suspended to decide on finishing positions.
In effect, that would leave the clubs having to decide whether or not to award the Premier League title this year or not.
SPORT SHAKE-UP
Italy is the worst-affected country in Europe with 17 deaths and 650 cases of coronavirus, while earlier the first British person to die from the disease after being placed in quarantine on board the Diamond Princess cruise.
A Spanish journalist who travelled to Milan to cover Valencia’s Champions League tie with Atalanta last week is currently being treated.
Inter Milan’s crunch Serie A clash with Juventus on Sunday is set to be played behind closed doors as the Italian government ban all sporting events in six regions of the country including the area of Turin where the Allianz Stadium is located.
The Six Nations fixtures between Ireland and Italy in Dublin next weekend have already been postponed while in cycling the UAE Tour was cancelled on Thursday night.
All the riders were kept in their rooms, including four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, after two competitors were tested positive.
In Formula One, the Chinese GP has already been cancelled but there are now major concerns over the first FOUR races of the new season.
Even the Olympic Games – set to be held in Tokyo, Japan, this summer – could be cancelled due to the deadly illness.
Read our coronavirus live blog for all the latest news and updates
Italy is the worst-affected European country with sporting fixtures cancelled or played behind closed doorsCredit: AFP or licensors
Premier League faces crisis talks to decide whether Liverpool will be champions if coronavirus wipes out end of season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
