Premier League set for urgent meetings with managers and captains to address new Covid rules… amid fears of Government intervention if players continue to hug and high-five
- The Premier League has sent out stringent new Covid protocols to the 20 teams
- Players were told to avoid hugging, high-fives and handshakes amid new variant
- Repeated instances of group hugs have followed goals this week, though
- Top-flight officials have scheduled urgent meetings with captains and bosses
A series of urgent meetings have been set up between the Premier League, captains and managers to address the new Covid protocols – amid fears that continued non-compliance may trigger government intervention.
As Sportsmail revealed last week, a series of stringent measures were sent to clubs in the wake of the new strain of the pandemic.
Players were told that they should avoid hugging, high-fives and handshakes, with sanctions promised for breaches. However, top-flight matches since the protocols were sent out have seen repeated instances of group hugs following goals. Sheffield United and both Manchester clubs are among those to have celebrated as normal.
Premier League officials will hold calls with clubs over the new Covid protocols on contact
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
Sportsmail can reveal that the ongoing situation has prompted worried Premier League officials to take action.
They will hold a series of calls with captains, managers and key staff – thought to be safety officers – on Thursday and Friday at 2pm and 4pm.
Four summits will be held on each afternoon. On the calls they are expected to be reminded of the new protocols, the reasoning behind them and the potential impact that repeated non-compliance could have.
The Premier League say that the talks were planned as part of the rollout of the new protocols. Clubs were informed of the meetings on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said footballers needed to avoid unnecessary forms of physical contact. But the same evening, City’s players celebrated Phil Foden’s winning, first-half goal against Brighton with a nine-man hug.
Manchester United stars broke new Covid rules by celebrating as a group on Tuesday night
Everton players also ignored the rules when celebrating Alex Iwobi’s goal against Wolves