The MLS players union reported that almost 20% of its members tested positive for coronavirus during the campaign that is about to conclude.
Bob Foose, executive director of the Players Association, revealed the figure Thursday during a press conference call.
“At a time when most professionals work from home, our players went to work every day. They did it practically every day. And nearly 20% of the league’s players were infected with this virus, at one point or another. This means that those who were infected were either not in danger or dangerous to their colleagues, their family and friends, just by virtue of doing their job, ”Foose emphasized.
The MLS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the percentage mentioned by Foose, which would imply that about 150 players tested positive in diagnostic tests. The league’s protocols contemplated various tests to confirm cases.
Some MLS footballers also tested positive only after playing for their respective national teams.
MLS teams had played just two dates before the season was suspended in March. In the middle of the year, the league hosted the MLS is Back tournament inside a “bubble” in Florida.
The teams then returned to their respective cities and completed a shortened campaign. The MLS final will take place on Saturday, between the Seattle Sounders and the Columbus Crew.
In early February, the league and union reached a new five-year collective agreement. However, they had not ratified it when the suspension for the pandemic came.
Both parties renegotiated the contract in June, before the tournament. They agreed to generalized wage cuts and a reduction in bonuses.
Foose raised concerns that MLS could invoke a clause included in the new agreement that, in essence, would allow the league to invalidate that agreement and renegotiate it in the event of adverse economic conditions.
“We negotiated that clause hard, but at this point I can’t really add anything on whether or when that clause will kick in,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who spoke this week in his annual report on the state of the league.
Foose cautioned that resorting to the clause “would be a mistake.”
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