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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he sees no benefit in a two-week break in the season amid fears of a spike in Covid cases.
The Premier League has confirmed 18 positive coronavirus tests among players and staff in its latest round of testing, the highest number of the season so far.
Hours after the Premier League released the latest figures, it emerged that Fulham’s match in Tottenham on Wednesday night is in doubt after several cases of coronavirus were recorded on the west side of London.
Manchester City’s trip to Everton on Monday was postponed hours before kickoff due to multiple positive cases within City’s camp, while Aston Villa vs Newcastle was canceled earlier this month after the Magpies were hit by the virus.
But Solskjaer worries what a circuit interruption would do to an already crowded schedule.
“It is not something that I have thought much about. I think our players have been very good at following the protocols and the rules,” Solskjaer said.
“That’s part of the job here, that we as clubs follow the given protocols. I don’t see the benefit of having a circuit interruption, whatever it’s called.
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Sky Sports News chief reporter Bryan Swanson says the Premier League insists its ‘medical protocols are robust’ after the latest round of coronavirus testing shows 18 positive cases, the highest of the season so far.
“Because when are we going to play the games? We all know that this year is very difficult, but I don’t think stopping the games is going to be a big change.”
Following United’s 1-0 last-gasp win over Wolves, Solskjaer’s opposite number Nuno Espirito Santo said that everyone was “concerned” about the situation and that the coaches are aware they must react when necessary. .
“I’m just listening to this, I can’t say much but the increase in cases is huge throughout the country. We are privileged because we live in a bubble and sometimes it is impossible to control all situations,” said Nuno.
“All managers understand that the situation is unprecedented, so we are reacting to situations like this every day. Every time there is a test, you are worried, when you hear that the cases increase, you are worried. Everybody is worried.”
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Premier League managers Roy Hodgson, Brendan Rodgers and Dean Smith assess the impact the coronavirus is having on England’s top flight after Manchester City’s game at Everton was postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak at the club .
A total of 1,479 players and club staff members were evaluated between December 21 and 27; the 18 people who tested positive are self-isolating.
What have other managers said?
West Brom Chief Sam allardyce said after his team’s 5-0 win for Leeds that a breaker-type break was the best option for the Premier League.
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West Brom boss Sam Allardyce believes that taking a break from Premier League action could be the right way to go if coronavirus cases continue to rise.
“Everyone’s safety is more important than anything else,” he said. “When I listen to the news, the variant virus spreads faster than the original virus [so] We can only do the right thing, which is to have a circuit break.
“I am 66 years old and the last thing I want to do is catch Covid. I am very worried about myself and about football in general. If that is what needs to be done, we have to do it. We had a positive this week and it seems to be creeping without matter how hard we try. “
Keeping the coronavirus out of the top category, even with strict restrictions in place, will be impossible as long as the virus circulates in the general population, Burnley manager. Sean Dyche he added, saying that if the situation worsened, it would be necessary to “address it accordingly” without explicitly endorsing a breakout.
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Sean Dyche insists that Burnley is adhering to strict coronavirus protocols, but says it is difficult to control what happens outside the club, amid concerns about an increase in cases.
“We have established protocols and everyone has tried to align with the protocols. But that doesn’t stop everything, you still have to put your hand on a keyboard or whatever when you get gas,” he said.
“The players still have to live their lives, they still have to operate in a way that is within the rules and guidelines; the ones we have within the camp are very strict but the players have lives.
“They have families and they tell us that (the virus) is everywhere so we can only stay within the guidelines, I just hope it stays out of football to the best of its ability. If the numbers keep increasing, we will have to deal with that. “. that accordingly. “
Sheffield United confirmed that they had registered several positive coronavirus tests after their latest round of testing. Due to medical confidentiality, the club will not reveal the names of those affected.
Brighton Manager Graham potter He said after his team’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal that football must do the right thing and that he would be happy to follow his advice.
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Graham Potter says Brighton will do “ what people think is right ”, including a possible disruption in Premier League action, if coronavirus cases continue to rise.
“What people believe is the right thing, for the health of our community, that’s the most important thing. Whatever is considered right, that’s what we will do.
“We have to make the most of everything that happens outside of football, which of course is more important. We have a virus that is increasing and affects our daily lives as human beings, so it will surely affect us as footballers, so it’s something we have to deal with, do our best.
“We have to make sure we do the right thing, because football is important, but not as important as people’s lives and health.”
Blade head Chris Wilder revealed before his kickoff at Burnley on Tuesday that the club had seen “a couple” of players and “four or five backroom employees” test positive. Wilder’s starting lineup was unaffected, with only one change from the previous game, Oliver Burke fell to the bench, but was only able to name seven of nine possible substitutes.
Wilder said neither he nor the club expected to delay the game. “It is not an ideal situation, but I do not think we are a club of one. (The virus) is increasing and it is increasing in football clubs,” he said.
“We have just notified the relevant authorities that we have had a situation at the football club. But I want to play football. That’s right, we are not looking for anything canned. We did the right thing in terms of our responsibility to the Premier League and notified them about the players who are sick. “
Premier League postponements: what the league guide says
The Premier League board took medical advice into consideration when making the decision to postpone City’s game against Everton. Decisions to reorganize the games are only in “exceptional” circumstances and are judged “on a case-by-case basis,” says the Premier League, which maintains its medical protocols are sound.
Guidance issued to clubs in the 2020/21 Premier League Manual is that “permission to postpone a League match will not be granted when the requesting club has 14 or more players on its roster of available teams.”
The final decision is always made by the Premier League Board.
Previous Premier League test results this season
- Round 1: August 31-September 6: 1,605 tests, three of which were positive.
- Round 2: 7-13 September: 2,131 tests, four of them positive.
- Round 3: September 14-20: 1,574 tests, three of them positive.
- Round 4: September 21-27: 1,595 tests, 10 positive.
- Round 5: September 28 to October 4: 1,587 tests, nine of them positive.
- Round 6: October 5-11: 1,128 tests, five of them positive.
- Round 7: October 12-18: 1,575 tests, eight of which were positive.
- Round 8: October 19-25: 1,609 tests, two positive.
- Round 9: October 26 to November 1: 1,446 tests, four of them positive.
- Round 10: November 2-8: 1,646 tests, four positive.
- Round 11: November 9-15: 1,207 tests, 16 positive.
- Round 12: November 16-22: 1,530 tests, eight of them positive.
- Round 13: November 23-29: 1,381 tests, 10 positive.
- Round 14: November 30 to December 6: 1,483 tests with 14 positives.
- Round 15: Dec 7-13 – 1,549 tested positive and six tested positive.
- Round 16: December 14-20: 1,569 tests with seven positive results.
- Round 17: December 21-27: 1,479 tests with 18 positives.
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