Brendan Rodgers says “there is absolutely no doubt” the Premier League should be stopped because of the coronavirus.
It comes after Leicester were one of six clubs caught up in health scares, even though fixtures are expected to be played as normal this weekend.
Foxes boss Rodgers revealed three of his players had been put into self-isolation after showing symptoms, and claimed their game with Watford tomorrow could be postponed.
A relative of Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is understood to have suffered respiratory problems at the player’s home. Mendy (above) has now been told to self-isolate and is out of City’s Premier League clash with Burnley tomorrow.
Chelsea players did not go to their Cobham training ground, as the club decided to undertake a deep clean as a precaution, but insisted no players had shown any symptoms.
Arsenal will be allowed back into training today, after coming into contact with Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has contracted the virus.
Wolves asked for their trip to Olympiakos to be postponed amid health fears, but were made to play. Watford were due to train at a local health club but, because of fears about the virus, were told to stay away.
It has left Rodgers insisting health must come first, despite the government telling English football there is no need to stop or play games behind closed doors.
When asked whether the league should be stopped, Rodgers said: ”There is absolutely no doubt, from a logical perspective. There’s the public health and ethical side as well. Players could be going into games and could be unclear if opposition players are infected.
“You think of how it all connect s with the throw-ins. Ultimately, there should be no risks taken in the public’s health, which is key.”
The Premier League, FA and EFL held talks last night to discuss the crisis. The EFL said games will go ahead as planned, even though privately they would want the league postponed, rather than played behind closed doors, because of the financial impact on clubs.
But they are only being guided by government advice, and that may change after Tuesday’s UEFA video summit, with all 55 member associations invited.
The government held a COBRA crisis meeting yesterday where it was decided football should carry on as normal this weekend. But the English attitude is causing disbelief in the rest of Europe.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas tweeted about the decision not to shut schools and wrote: “Why not do it now and avoid more trouble?”
Leagues in Holland, Portugal and Spain, together with Major League Soccer, have now all followed Italy in being suspended, with some games in Germany behind closed doors.
Chelsea’s trip to Bayern Munich next week is expected to go ahead without fans.
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21043/425639/5e6baf837f5...
It comes after Leicester were one of six clubs caught up in health scares, even though fixtures are expected to be played as normal this weekend.
Foxes boss Rodgers revealed three of his players had been put into self-isolation after showing symptoms, and claimed their game with Watford tomorrow could be postponed.
A relative of Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is understood to have suffered respiratory problems at the player’s home. Mendy (above) has now been told to self-isolate and is out of City’s Premier League clash with Burnley tomorrow.
Chelsea players did not go to their Cobham training ground, as the club decided to undertake a deep clean as a precaution, but insisted no players had shown any symptoms.
Arsenal will be allowed back into training today, after coming into contact with Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has contracted the virus.
Wolves asked for their trip to Olympiakos to be postponed amid health fears, but were made to play. Watford were due to train at a local health club but, because of fears about the virus, were told to stay away.
It has left Rodgers insisting health must come first, despite the government telling English football there is no need to stop or play games behind closed doors.
When asked whether the league should be stopped, Rodgers said: ”There is absolutely no doubt, from a logical perspective. There’s the public health and ethical side as well. Players could be going into games and could be unclear if opposition players are infected.
“You think of how it all connect s with the throw-ins. Ultimately, there should be no risks taken in the public’s health, which is key.”
The Premier League, FA and EFL held talks last night to discuss the crisis. The EFL said games will go ahead as planned, even though privately they would want the league postponed, rather than played behind closed doors, because of the financial impact on clubs.
But they are only being guided by government advice, and that may change after Tuesday’s UEFA video summit, with all 55 member associations invited.
The government held a COBRA crisis meeting yesterday where it was decided football should carry on as normal this weekend. But the English attitude is causing disbelief in the rest of Europe.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas tweeted about the decision not to shut schools and wrote: “Why not do it now and avoid more trouble?”
Leagues in Holland, Portugal and Spain, together with Major League Soccer, have now all followed Italy in being suspended, with some games in Germany behind closed doors.
Chelsea’s trip to Bayern Munich next week is expected to go ahead without fans.
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21043/425639/5e6baf837f5...
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Daily Mirror UK (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 13, 2020