Premier League clubs fear that up to 50 Premier League players are ready to refuse restart for the rest of the season. First-time English teams are working to finish the season by playing in neutral stadiums with their doors closed.
No matches have been played since March 9 and the league has been postponed since March 13. Teams have begun opening up their training centers for players to train individually as general training is expected to begin at the end of this month and the season is expected to resume on June 12.
MIRROR SPORT: 50 prem players are ready to snub restart #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RI7xcJPUOd
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 8, 2020
But an unnamed club quoted the Daily Mirror as saying that about two or three players in each team would refuse to return to training or play the remaining games for fear of their health.
Premier League players are “scared” by the prospect of football returning, according to Sergio Aguero. pic.twitter.com/xnS3V00zEu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 1, 2020
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has already publicly expressed his fear. Players have voiced concerns about passing on the virus to family members. One Premier League player said he would refuse because of worries about his six-week-old baby and loved ones with underlying health conditions.
Players have voiced concerns about passing on the virus to family members. One Premier League player said he would refuse because of worries about his six-week-old baby and loved ones with underlying health conditions. (@MirrorSport) pic.twitter.com/lElmBkNTyJ
— WorldwideArsenal™ (@WorldwideAFC) May 8, 2020
The league authorities have released a seven-page document on players’ training that includes wearing a mask, not spitting and balls, and other items being cleaned while team members are ordered to wear medical equipment.
The document has been sent to all 20 Premier League teams who are scheduled for a meeting on-line on Monday.
