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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Gareth Bicknell

Premier League stars 'urged to raise Project Restart fears over WhatsApp'

Premier League stars are reportedly being urged to raise their concerns over Project Restart on WhatsApp, amid fears they could be rushed back into action too soon.

June 12 has been earmarked as the new target date for resuming top-flight action, after the season as suspended in early March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But much will depend on the extent to which the UK is still in lockdown by that time, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson set to give an update this Sunday on the next steps in the fight against Covid-19.

Games will be played behind closed doors and at neutral venues in a bid to protect the public as much as possible - but players are understandably worried for their health and for that of their families.

Another concern expressed by some top-flight stars is that they don't want to benefit from tests for the deadly virus while NHS staff and other frontline workers go without.

Premier League stars such as Kevin De Bruyne and Jordan Henderson are in contact with the PFA over their teammates' concerns (AFP/Getty Images)

So, a delegate from each club has been assigned to gather the thoughts of their teammates via WhatsApp in order to relay any concerns to the PFA, according to the Daily Mail.

For Liverpool that delegate is goalkeeper Adrian, although captain Jordan Henderson is also involved in discussions.

Lee Grant is the Manchester United delegate, while for Arsenal it is Hector Bellerin.

Chelsea 's Cesar Azpilicueta, Manchester City 's Kevin De Bruyne, Tottenham's Ben Davies and West Ham 's Mark Noble are among the club representatives in daily contact with the PFA.

The Mail reports that most players will do as instructed by the Premier League, but some are concerned about the prospect of returning while a lockdown is still deemed necessary for the rest of the UK.

PFA staff members have been assigned groups of clubs each and told to stay in constant contact ahead of the next shareholders' meeting regarding the restart.

A similar line of communication was used when the PFA set up its 'Enough' initiative — a campaign aimed at tackling racism which saw players boycott social media for 24 hours.

The players also used WhatsApp to organise their Players Together fund, which has raised millions to help the NHS fight the Covid-19 outbreak.

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