COVID-19: Premier League Stars Not Willing To Return To Work For League Restart Scheduled For June

Members of some English football clubs, due to coronavirus fears, have expressed concerns over the intended resumption of training for Premier League which is set to restart in June.

UK government had in a 50-page roadmap for exiting the coronavirus published on Monday suggested that Premier League could start behind closed doors from June 1.

However, some players have heavily criticized the news, as members of some teams declared that they do not intend to return to training on Monday.

Sportsmail reports that players have already privately expressed to their managers that they have major reservations about returning to work next week.

A number of top-flight clubs intend to hold video conference calls over the next 48 hours aimed at informing players about health and safety protocols.

The meetings will also give players an opportunity to air their concerns about small group training starting on May 18.

Some other players across the league intend to inform their bosses they would rather not return amid the continuous widespread of coronavirus.

Some players like Sergio Aguero, Manuel Lanzini and Danny Rose have publicly expressed significant concerns about returning. Players have also voiced their fears on a Premier League players’ WhatsApp group.

However, Daily Mail reports that Clubs are not putting pressure on their players to make themselves available given the unprecedented circumstances.

There is also a growing worry among players that they are being used as political pawns by the Government after Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said being able to hold sporting events without fans could “provide a much-needed boost to national morale”.

There is also frustration at a perceived lack of consultation from the Government and Premier League with the playing community.

The concerns expressed on the WhatsApp group will be relayed to club officials during pivotal talks over the next two days.

On his part, Rose, 29, in an unreserved manner said;

Football shouldn’t even be spoken about until the numbers have dropped massively. People’s lives are at risk.

Using expletives, Rose further said;

I did not care about the nation’s morale. Some players have real concerns.

Responding to news also, Norwich City’s 22-year-old English midfielder Todd Cantwell posted on social media: “We are just people too.”

Manchester City and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero had previously said players are “scared” about the prospect of returning to action amid the pandemic.

Aguero’s team-mate Raheem Sterling also shared his concern on his YouTube channel on Monday, saying;

The moment we do go back it just needs to be a moment where it’s not just for footballing reasons; it’s safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff, referees.

I feel like once that side of the people’s safety and the players’ safety is secured, and their wellbeing is looked after, then that’s the right time to go back in. Until then, I’m. – how can I say – not scared, but reserved and thinking what the worst outcome could be.

I’ve had friends whose grandmas passed away. I’ve had family members as well that have passed away. You’ve got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you.

Meanwhile, a new data have shown that 73% of 2,098 British adults surveyed would not see the return of football as a boost to their morale as claimed by Boris Johnson, while 19% said they would.

As at May 12, 32,692 people have died from coronavirus in the UK and 222,463 people infected in total.