Premier League players ‘ready to revolt’ over plans to stage games behind closed doors
- Reports indicate plan by Premier League to finish the 2019/20 season
- Players say they will only resume playing when fans are allowed in
- Premier League is on suspension till April 30 due to coronavirus pandemic
Players from the Premier League are ‘ready to revolt plans of the season being resumed and played behind closed doors.
Reports indicate that all players in all levels are opposed to the plan of having the games played behind closed doors.
This comes after information from the Football Association indicated the plan of having the games played behind closed doors from May 2.
The Premier League is said to be under pressure from TV companies who want the games resumed or risk losing hundreds of millions in multi-billion pound TV contracts.
Through the Professional Footballers’ Association, the players indicated that they would not take part in any games without the presence of fans who have been ‘without Premier League action’ since March 13.
Among the concerns raised by the players include (but not limited to):
- Fear of their own safety amid stern warnings by the government regarding social distancing
- They could be putting their families and loved ones in harm’s way should they get infected while on the pitch
- They do not want to play in empty stadiums while their loyal fans are locked out
In response to this, PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor said:
Players do have concerns and understandably so. It would not be our preferred option but everything has to be considered at the moment.
Most Premier League players are in self-isolation as the pandemic of the coronavirus continues to cripple most activities in the UK.
Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea star Callum Hudson Odoi were the first high-profile figures in English football to test positive of the virus.
Should the Premier League resume, a lot of action will be in store.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal will be looking to seal a top-four finish.
Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich will be looking to fight their way out of the relegation zone.
