At least one Premier League club has been hit by a coronavirus outbreak after players returned for pre-season training.
Those not involved in Euro 2020, the Copa America or the Olympics began preparations for the new campaign this week.
As reported by the Telegraph, the players’ arrival has not been without events. It is said that at least one unnamed Premier League club has had cases of coronavirus since training before the season started. Two players have become ill while an employee was assigned to isolate after his children tested positive for Covid-19.
After some early dental problems, it was the biosecure bubble system that the top fight sides worked on last season effectively to prevent the spread of the disease. Most outbreaks occurred in the days following an international break.
However, a Premier League manager told the newspaper that the 2021/22 season could be much more chaotic. Cases among men under the age of 30 have been postponed in the UK recently and all coronavirus restrictions – except for the need for self-isolation – are set for the end of 19 July.
This creates a potentially catastrophic situation for Premier League clubs where more players get Covid-19 and have to miss ten days of action.
Various measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus have been introduced since the pandemic / Pool / Getty Images
Professor John Ashton, the former public director of the North West of England, said: “Given the increase in cases, especially among men under the age of 30, which is a demographic highly represented among Premier League footballers, clubs should expect cases to be detected. as their gaming staff returns from summer breaks.
“This is likely to have some impact on individual fitness and pre – season training, which can only be partially mitigated by testing. It is unlikely that players have experienced a serious illness but training regimens may need to be adjusted to enable recovery.
He added: “It would be surprising if some clubs did not think they were entering the new season less well prepared than they would like.”
