English football is one of the biggest sources of COVID-19 contagion in European sport today. Match suspensions are now commonplace and the rescheduling of matches has definitively altered the calendar of all teams.
However, the ball does not slow down, at least in a general way. The managers of the Premier League clubs voted in favor of football continuing into the holiday season despite the wave of infections. Many referents of the best soccer league in the world have spoken out against it.
Arsenal’s technical director, Mikel Arteta, sided with the footballers and stated that if they, who have always done their best to continue, demand to stop, they must be heard: “The main thing is to protect the well-being of the players because we are responsible for defending them more than anyone. It is important that we listen to their concerns much more because, without them, we cannot do anything and the industry would not function. “
On Wednesday, Jordan Henderson, the experienced and respected Liverpool captain, had been the first to raise his voice and raise a wave of complaints from his colleagues. “Soccer for us is everything and we want to be able to perform at the highest level every time we step on the pitch. Unfortunately, at the moment it is difficult to do so. This has been the case for years and it has been difficult. But with COVID it is It becomes even more complicated and worse. I am concerned that no one really takes the well-being of the players seriously, “he told the BBC, aware of the weight of his words.
Another powerful voice, such as that of Steven Gerrard, current manager of Aston Villa and Liverpool’s maximum reference in his time as a player, gave references about a situation experienced in his team that reflects the difficult context: “On the weekend one of the Players were reluctant to get out of his car because he had some symptoms and he has a young family, and his point of view can be fully understood. “
Players and coaches have been clamoring for more decision-making power for several years, especially in matters of the calendar, which are tight in the best leagues in the world. The COVID-19 context has reinforced their voices but they still do not affect those in charge. For now, the Premier League continues, but they have already had to suspend two games on December 26, as a result of the infections.
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