Coronavirus

PREMIER LEAGUE stars have been ordered to PRACTISE socially-distanced goal celebrations in training.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will today warn his squad to cut out the hugging.

Clubs have been asked to ensure players practise socially-distanced celebrations Credit: AP:Associated Press

And Manchester United ace Paul Pogba says players will ‘find another way to celebrate’ to comply with the strict new Covid rules.
Club captains and managers had meetings with PL chiefs on Thursday amid alarm over players ignoring social distancing when celebrating goals.
And the Premier League, FA and EFL have now released a joint statement warning football to ‘set the right example to the public on and off the pitch’ in helping tackle the pandemic.
West Brom boss Sam Allardyce wants MPs to stay out of football and focus instead on rolling out life-saving vaccines.

But in the ‘hugging summit’ meetings, clubs were told to toe the line – or risk the Government locking down football.
Premier League chiefs urged stars to come up with socially-distanced celebrations.
It was even suggested players spend time on the training ground working out ‘safe’ routines.
Some players are understood to be uncomfortable with the instructions.

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Players are being urged to keep their distance while celebrating on the pitchCredit: AFP

And one skipper asked: “What’s the difference between hugging in a goal celebration and marking tightly at a corner?”
Lampard will hammer home the message ahead of tomorrow’s Fulham trip after Blues’ academy was shut due to an outbreak.
He said: “It’s something I will pass on. We practise social distancing at the training ground.
“On the pitch it can be difficult, because you have to get close to each other.
“These protocols have been hardened – and I understand why because there’s a surge of Covid.
“But when you are playing there’s a lot of instinct involved.
“They are good lads, they don’t want to do the wrong thing. They are doing their job through this tough time.”

Players will be told to practise celebrating safely during gamesCredit: AP:Associated Press
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston warned on Twitter: “Footballers are no exception to social distancing requirements”.
And Pogba told Sky Sports: “We’ll find another way to celebrate and be happy.
“We have to respect these rules for the safety of everyone.”
Premier League chief exec Richard Masters, Wembley’s Mark Bullingham and EFL counterpart Trevor Birch stressed: “Safety is a collective effort.
“The game has a responsibility and it is down to everyone to follow Government rules and our Covid-19 protocols.”
But Allardyce blasted: “We don’t need any more Government interference.
“They’ve got enough on their plate rolling out the vaccine and getting everyone safe.
“The Government should instead look at people who are still partying while this virus is spreading like wildfire.”

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PREM captains and managers will hold a ‘hugging summit’ with League chiefs today – in a bid to fend off calls for a shutdown.
Growing criticism over players’ goal celebrations have reached Governmental level with Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston making a public warning.

Premier League stars will be told again today to stop the huggingCredit: AP:Associated Press

Prem chiefs are concerned that a widespread backlash could put the entire game on the backfoot and make the prospect of an enforced pause more serious
And while there is no current Government push for the game to be temporarily closed as the mutant strains of the virus spread, the emergency virtual meeting will address all the issues.
England skipper Harry Kane’s vow that the Spurs players would not hug after a goal was kept to during the draw with Fulham, although Jose Mourinho’s men did high-five each other.
But Manchester City hugged en masse after Phil Foden’s winner against Brighton.

That followed similar scenes on Tuesday night.
Now all clubs have been summoned for today’s virtual gatherings, involving separate meetings with skippers and managers.
Prem leaders will reiterate the message that Covid protocols MUST be followed to the letter.
Those rules have already been sent out to all clubs.

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But the feeling is that by getting the captains and managers to pass on the gravity of the situation, it will bring restraint to head off the threat to the Prem.
It is understood that the meetings were scheduled by the Prem at the beginning of the week, rather than being a response to the scenes of the past few days.
But those incidents have intensified the need for action and players and managers will be left in no doubt of the requirement for all Prem stars to follow the rules to the letter.

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ASTON VILLA are to ask the Premier League to postpone Sunday’s clash with Everton.
At least nine first-team players tested positive for Covid-19 and have been isolating since Thursday.

Dean Smith’s Aston Villa want their game against Everton on Sunday postponedCredit: PA

Dean Smith and Co played their kids in a 4-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool on Friday.
Under-23s boss Mark Delaney took charge at Villa Park against a strong Reds side which included Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson.
However, the Villans called off tonight’s scheduled game against Tottenham.
Villa’s Bodymoor Heath base remains closed and the Midlanders are set to make a formal request to Premier League chiefs today.

The Everton clash was originally meant to go ahead at 5.30pm on Saturday.
However, it was pushed back to Sunday at noon because Fulham’s game with Chelsea moved from Friday night to the Saturday evening slot.
Cottagers boss Scott Parker fumed after his side were given 48 hours to prepare to face Spurs tonight – but got no sympathy from Tottenham counterpart Jose Mourinho.
Their game was postponed from December 30 after a coronavirus outbreak at the West London club.

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Parker raged: “To confirm a (Wednesday) Premier League game at 9:30 on Monday morning is scandalous.
“It is not about the fixture. I accept we have to play, but it is the notice. 
“Maybe the people in these places making these decisions don’t understand how you manage teams and manage players.
“To have a game called on with 48 hours’ notice, Jose will know too well that you plan structures and physical elements to players and what you do in the week and how you play for one game or another.
“Tottenham knew they had a fixture. His team selection at the weekend suggested that. He will have planned for that with his team selection.
“It is wrong. I am disappointed and angry. It is not right for numerous reasons. That is why I am so angry.”
But Mourinho hit back: “Are you serious?
“I had the news I was not going to play them two hours before the game started.

I could ask why Aston Villa played Liverpool on Friday and don’t play against me on Wednesday. I’m not crying about that.
Jose Mourinho

“Do you want to finish the season or not? Do you want football to keep going or not? Do you want to be the only country in Europe without football or not?
“Do we want the end of the season with champions, cup winners, relegation and with Europe, or we don’t? That’s the main question.
“Come on, let’s play football. Let’s behave the best we can. Let’s protect our industry. Let’s protect our image and let’s play football.
“I could also ask why Aston Villa played Liverpool in the Cup on Friday and don’t play against me on Wednesday. I’m not crying about that.”

Villa’s kids put up a valiant effort against a strong Liverpool team on FridayCredit: Reuters

Jose Mourinho’s Spurs will play their rearranged game against Fulham tonight instead of facing VillaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are adding ‘Covid clauses’ into new contracts which include PAY CUTS if fans are banned from stadiums beyond this season.
Clubs in the top-flight and EFL are scrambling to protect themselves financially should the pandemic worsen.

Premier League clubs are considering adding ‘Covid clauses’ to players’ dealsCredit: Reuters

Many teams have already been crippled by the loss of matchday income, with the EFL receiving a £250million bailout in December.
But a number of clubs are concerned they could be left stranded should the situation surrounding coronavirus get even worse.
The new strain of Covid has run rampant across the country, with the Government imposing a third full lockdown.
And football clubs have not been immune from outbreaks, despite strict protocols.

No fewer than 40 Premier League players and/or staff members returned positive results from their Covid tests last week, more than double the previous record of 18.
This week’s official numbers saw a slight drop, with 36 positive results returned.
With the pandemic already taking a downward turn, teams are now attempting to insert ‘Covid clauses’ into contracts for both new and existing players to cover themselves should fans remain locked out of grounds.
Sky Sports News have now claimed clubs are in the midst of the trickiest transfer window ever.

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Top-flight clubs are fearful of the financial repercussions of an extended period without fans in groundsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

A number of teams are already adding ‘Covid clauses’ into contracts of loan players, meaning the temporary deals can be cancelled and fees recouped in part.
On top of that, any permanent transfer or new contract offer is claimed to have the clauses inserted.
In this instance, there are certain clauses inserted, including pay cuts for players should fans remain banned from entering stadiums, to help cover the income lost on matchdays.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa has become the FIFTH Premier League game to be axed due to Covid.
The clash has been replaced by Tottenham vs Fulham in an unprecedented emergency scheduling change.
Villa failed to get the green light to return to their Bodymoor Heath training ground after the Covid-19 outbreak that saw them field a youth team against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
It means Fulham, who asked for the initial December 29 game at Tottenham to be postponed because of their own outbreak, will now have no option but to play this week.
Despite the issues, Premier League bosses are unwilling to consider a ‘circuit break’ shutdown.
A number of clubs from the lower reaches of the top-flight have begun to lobby for a three-week hiatus.
But the vast majority of top flight clubs, including all of the Big Six, believe the show must go on.
SunSport understands there has yet to be any suggestion of a formal proposal to put the Premier League on hold.

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