English football confident of finishing the season

English football confident of finishing the season as the Premier League join forces with the FA, EFL and WSL to call on players and managers to ‘set the right example’ amid backlash over social distancing rule breaches

  • Premier League has released a joint statement alongside the FA, EFL and WSL
  • The quartet are committed to completing the season despite Covid cases rising
  • They maintain that they have tightened their coronavirus protocols sufficiently
  • And they call on players and managers to set the right example amid backlash
  • Players have been criticised for hugging and high-fiveing after goals are scored

Footballers have been told to set an example by abiding by new Covid-19 rules — on a day when a number of managers defended repeated breaches.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was among those to hit back at critics after players defied protocols by hugging team-mates following goals. He claimed celebrations were a matter of ‘instinct’.

However, amid what appears to be a deepening rift, the Premier League, Football Association and EFL sent out a clear message. 

English football is confident of finishing the season despite the current coronavirus crisis

It comes after players breached orders to avoid hugging, high-fives and handshakes

It comes after players breached orders to avoid hugging, high-fives and handshakes

A joint statement, released on Thursday night, urged compliance.

It read: ‘The game has a responsibility and during this next critical period it is down to everyone involved to ensure they follow Government rules and our protocols.

‘We have seen the huge contribution players have made to the national effort and they must continue to use their influence in demonstrating the importance of following the rules.’

As revealed by MailOnline, a host of protocols were introduced in the wake of the new strain of Covid-19 last week. 

STATEMENT IN FULL 

The Football Association, Premier League, EFL and Barclays Women’s Super League have this week introduced enhanced COVID-19 measures and stressed their importance to everyone in the game.

Safety is a collective effort and football requires the ongoing support of clubs, managers, players and all those involved in staging matches to continue to manage the spread of infection and set the right example to the public on and off the pitch. 

We will offer guidance, education and support as well as reviewing our practices to ensure they remain of the highest standard.

Our three organisations have confidence in our COVID-19 protocols and our ability to bring the season to a successful conclusion.

Throughout this crisis, the healthy, safety and well-being off all participants has been our number one priority and by following the national rules and football’s own strict medical and scientific advice, football has been able to maintain its privileged position and continue to engage and entertain millions of people around the country.

The game has a responsibility and during this next critical period it is down to everyone involved to ensure they follow Government rules and our protocols. We have seen the huge contribution players have made to the national effort and they must continue to use their influence in demonstrating the importance of following the rules.

With full compliance to our COVID-19 protocols – alongside effective testing regimes – we are confident at the halfway point of the season that, with the support of all, the 2020/21 campaign will continues to its conclusion in May.

Despite being urged not to, players are still celebrating with hugs, high-fives and handshakes

Despite being urged not to, players are still celebrating with hugs, high-fives and handshakes

Premier League fear the Government will intervene if players continue to celebrate as normal

Premier League fear the Government will intervene if players continue to celebrate as normal

Players were told they should avoid hugging, high-fives and handshakes, with sanctions likely for breaches. However, top-flight matches since the protocols were sent out have seen repeated instances of group hugs following goals.

Lampard said: ‘We need to do our best as we should have done all along, but football has and always will be a game of instinct.

‘It’s going to be very difficult to police (celebrations), while keeping the energy and excitement football brings.’

On Thursday, Premier League officials held calls with captains, managers and key staff — thought to be safety officers — with more planned on Friday. 

Frank Lampard admits it is going to be hard for players as football is a 'game of instincts'

Frank Lampard admits it is going to be hard for players as football is a ‘game of instincts’

The Football League joined forces with the Premier League and the FA to release a statement

The Football League joined forces with the Premier League and the FA to release a statement 

The Women's Super League has also committed to finishing the season despite rise in cases

The Women’s Super League has also committed to finishing the season despite rise in cases

While the tone of the calls was described as ‘amicable’, clubs were reminded of the new protocols, the reasons for them and the impact repeated non-compliance could have.

The Government is keeping a close eye on the situation and may act if further non-compliance occurs. However, there is not thought to be any appetite to halt the season.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl thinks it is more important to follow the everyday Covid protocols than scrapping group celebrations. ‘When you stick to the guidelines, you can also work like we do every day together and celebrate together,’ he said.