Coronavirus is starting to decimate sides up and down the football stratum and the number of games that have already been postponed is proof of how quickly this virus can leave teams looking after a couple of days.
Speaking on Match Of The Day 2 on Sunday evening, it was clear that Thomas Tuchel was not exactly comfortable with games going ahead, “We were struggling with preparations. We had several days with positive COVID tests. Then we travel together for three hours on the bus.
“We have dinner together. We have another positive test with Jorginho. People are worried because they are on the same bus and at the same dinner. But, obviously, it was not enough to postpone the match so we had to play. But, our situation is not safe.
Tuchel went on to make an important point about how nonsensical it is to continue playing games, when there are already positive cases within a team, “We are talking about protection of the player and a safe environment. It’s not safe. It would be no surprise if the next tests show up and we have another positive.
“Because, like I said, we have four days of consecutive positive tests. How should it stop if we sit on the bus and have dinners and stay together like nothing happened? Hopefully it does stop and we hope for the best.”
With a transmissible virus-like COVID it’s inevitable that one player returning a positive test will lead to more. But, the Premier League has tried to take the high road in some ways by keeping the football show running in a time where the Omicron is rising rapidly.
From a fan's perspective, it’s sad to not see players and staff's health be prioritised. Don’t think for one minute the best case scenario won’t be to continue and play football, that’s what fans would love. But what we don’t want is the league to continue at the cost of the player's health and safety.
That's a no go for the majority of fans.
As athletes, especially in the top league in England, it’s uncertain how these players will return after recovering from coronavirus. The virus has notorious long-term effects for some people, now officially known as the term ‘long-COVID’.
To see games continue and have COVID run rife through football clubs - payers and staff, let alone society is concerning and a break would be something that the fans will understand.
A Reach PLC wide survey for fans found that 64% of fans believed there should be a circuit breaker to manage COVID cases as clubs are hit. The Premier League are having a meeting on Monday to decide whether there should be a break in fixtures.
But, early reports are saying that they are planning to keep the league trudging along. We can cope without football for a couple of weeks because there won’t be football when we’re risking the health of hundreds of athletes.
Do you think the league should take a break in light of increased COVID cases? Follow our Carefree Chelsea team member Renuka on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
