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    England stars who refuse Covid jabs face World Cup axe from Gareth Southgate as Qatar rules mean they can’t play Iran

    ENGLAND stars could face a World Cup axe due to their refusal to take the Covid vaccine.The tournament kicks off in Qatar on November 21 with England’s first game against Iran falling on the opening day.
    England stars could face a World Cup axe due to their refusal to take the Covid vaccineCredit: Getty
    Under current regulations, any unvaccinated players will have to isolate for five days following their arrival in the country.
    England play just six days after their scheduled arrival in Qatar, so any player forced to self-isolate will miss training and likely be sidelined.
    According to the Daily Mail, it has led manager Gareth Southgate to consider leaving out any unvaccinated squad members entirely.
    Already this summer players from Chelsea and Crystal Palace’s squad were unable to travel to America and South-East Asia respectively.
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    N’Golo Kante stayed behind due to his vaccination status, which could affect his World Cup plans.
    It is understood Fifa are lobbying with Qatar to relax its Covid vaccine rules ahead of the tournament.
    Meanwhile, Fifa are keen to install cameras in dressing rooms with insights being filmed before and after the game and at half-time.
    Footage will be broadcast either live or slightly delayed.
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    But managers are likely to demand the sound is muted for anything that might be important for tactical, technical or injury reasons.
    SunSport understands world chiefs want to bring a more immersive insight to the global audience of billions.
    The plan is understood to have been outlined to team delegations, including the FA, during last week’s Fifa World Cup workshop in Doha.
    England play Iran in their opening World Cup gameCredit: The Times More

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    Premier League anti-vax stars ­likened to drink-drivers as they’re urged to get jabbed

    PREMIER League anti-vax stars have been ­likened to drink-drivers as they were urged to get jabbed.The top-flight footballers were told by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to help protect the public after concerns about their slow vaccine take-up.
    Premier League footballers were told by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to help protect the public after concerns about their slow vaccine take-upCredit: PA
    Dressing rooms have been hit by disinformation, with at least five of the England squad refusing to have the jab.
    And now ministers want the stubborn sportsmen to take note of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who sent out a stern warning to those who refuse to get protection from the virus.
    Former vaccines minister Mr Zahawi said: “I urge all footballers to listen to Jurgen Klopp. He says we all have a duty to protect one another.
    “He compared it to being drunk behind the wheel because of the harm to others. 
    “So get yourself protected. Protect your community, protect people that might come into contact with you.”
    Health Secretary Sajid Javid said of those refusing the jab: “It is disappointing. They are role models in society.”

    Fans may have to show Premier League Covid passport to gain entry into stadiums this season More

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    England’s World Cup hopes thrown into disarray after it emerges at least five players are refusing to be vaccinated

    ENGLAND’S World Cup hopes have been thrown into disarray after it emerged that at least five players are refusing to be vaccinated.Three rebels are senior members of the Three Lions squad who starred at the Euros this summer.
    England’s World Cup hopes in Qatar have been thrown into disarray after it emerged that at least five players are refusing to be vaccinatedCredit: Handout – Getty
    The players’ refusal to have the jab will throw Gareth Southgate’s plans into chaos as organisers of next year’s Qatar World Cup plan to ban all unvaccinated playersCredit: Reuters
    England can all but seal qualification with wins against lowly Andorra and Hungary this month.
    But organisers of next year’s Qatar World Cup plan to ban all unvaccinated players.
    The rebels have given a string of “nonsense” reasons for not having the vaccine, a source revealed.
    One footballer claimed he is too “young and fit” to be affected by the virus — despite evidence it can damage the health of younger people, who can also spread it.
    Another refused after buying into bizarre “conspiracy theories” that the jab is a tool for governments to spy on people.
    The others are said to have been pressured against having it by their anti-vaxxer Wags.
    At least five of manager Gareth Southgate’s squad are unjabbed — and the revolt could derail his preparations for next year’s World Cup.

    The players are also on a collision course with organisers of the Qatar finals, who plan to ban all unvaccinated players.
    Three of the five rebels are senior players with a string of honours who had starring roles at the Euros this summer.
    They are due to fly to Andorra next week as part of the England “Covid bubble” ahead of their next qualifying match.
    The trip to the Pyrenees will coincide with the easing of travel restrictions for the fully vaccinated.
    But in a move likely to spark fury, the unjabbed five will be given special exemption that will allow them to train and play through quarantine.
    Insiders fear it could cause a rift in the England camp — after Southgate fronted a vaccination campaign in July.
    In a video message to the nation he said: “There’s no doubt the vaccination programme is our best route out of this problem.”
    Southgate said he felt lending his support was “responsible” but later revealed: “Of all the things I’ve received abuse for over the summer — of which there’s been several — that’s the one I’ve received the most abuse over.”
    He and club bosses are said to be battling misinformation.
    A source said: “Dressing rooms and Whatsapp groups are awash with anti-vax conspiracy theories. Many senior players have been duped by online arguments and myths against the vaccine.
     “And they’re refusing to change course. If Qatar press ahead with plans to demand Covid vaccine passports from fans and players, it’s going to come to a head.”
    Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van Tam has been drafted in to address the jab benefits and dispel the myths with a special video message distributed via an app to all players.
    But one club doctor said: “We’ve got senior players, intelligent men, coming out with all sorts of nonsense. One told me he didn’t need the vaccine because he could boost his immunity by taking vitamins.
    “Some of the stuff they’re reading — and believing — on the internet is incredible. Players are saying it will make them infertile, that it’s part of a plot involving Bill Gates, that the pandemic is just propaganda.
    “The real problem is they’re also polluting the minds of younger players.”
     Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: “It’s disappointing to hear there may be some footballers unwilling to get vaccinated, perhaps due to misinformation online.”
    An FA spokesman said: “This is a private matter for individuals and their respective clubs as employers. Our preparations for the forthcoming internationals continue as normal.”
    Players refusing jabs are unlikely to be able to take part in the finalsCredit: PA:Press Association
    The Covid jab rebels have stunned staff with their reasons for not having the vaccine – One said he is too “young and fit” to be affected by the virusCredit: PA
    Bukayo Saka shows off his skills in training More