LES FERDINAND fears the bombshell plan to restart the Championship in just 18 days poses a bigger risk to players than Covid-19.
QPR’s director of football hopes the EFL will compromise and give clubs more time to get their squads ready for action.
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Les Ferdinand believes the EFL’s plans are a huge risk to the playersCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Rangers went ballistic on Monday after receiving notification that second-tier games are to resume on June 20.
And Ferdinand said: “I am not belittling coronavirus in any way whatsoever.
“I appreciate people have lost their lives and it is a serious health issue. When football stopped, players went into lockdown. They were in isolation but at least they were healthy. So they have been OK.
“What I am saying is that we are being asked to be ready to go into a season in less than three weeks’ time.
“If that’s so, the injuries are going to pile up when the games get going.
“This could be worse for them than Covid-19 from that specific point of view. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
R’s chief executive Lee Hoos claims there was zero consultation with his club about the Championship’s restart date before it was announced on Sunday night.
He branded it “appalling” and something he is “vehemently opposed to”.
It’s a recipe for disaster.
QPR legend Ferdinand added: “I wish they had consulted our medical staff.
“I have checked with them and they were as surprised as us by these new guidelines.
“They need to be consulted because they are the best people who understand what is feasible in these circumstances.
“Look at the Bundesliga. They were ahead of us and yet the injury rate following their restart is higher than at any point in the season.
“I hope others see it the way we do and that the EFL takes this on board.
“I hope there can be an agreement and delay the restart. These are only guidelines after all.”
Championship clubs resumed training last Monday in small groups and are now moving up to full contact.
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Rangers manager Mark Warburton said: “I think everyone was staggered when the news was suddenly announced.
“I know our CEO, who has been outstanding throughout, had no idea, our doctor had no idea, nor did I.
“We had told the players earlier, on a Zoom call, that we thought June 27 would be the earliest and now they are looking a week earlier.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
