The second wave of the mutant COVID-19 virus is now making its impact felt in the Premier League as well, with 40 positive cases being reported from 2295 tests being conducted in the last week.
Manchester City’s game against Everton was called off due to a rapid number of COVID-19 positive results being found in the squad. Elsewhere, Fulham’s matches against Burnley and Tottenham were also called off due to a number of cases being found in the squad of the Cottagers.
The Premier League said in a statement: ‘With low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs, the League continues to have confidence in its COVID-19 protocols, fully backed by the Government, to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled. Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days.’
Protocols have been violated by various Premier League players, with the holiday season seeing players from multiple teams engage in parties on New Year’s. Fans have been quick to criticise them owing to their visibility and their responsibilities as people of status and privilege.
Spurs players Sergio Reguilon, Giovani Lo Celso, Erik Lamela and West Ham's Manuel Lanzini were all pictured breaking lockdown rules over the Xmas period.
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) January 2, 2021
Duncan Castles is now reporting that both Erik Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso have tested positive for COVID. pic.twitter.com/YvZBD8WkQA
With the number of cases on the rise once again, it is fair to assume that matches will continue to be suspended in the weeks to come. Moreover, football clubs are still recovering from the financial hit they took from the first lockdown last year, and many have not even come close to stabilising.
Players must exercise caution and be careful regarding the safety measures not only to avoid the disease themselves, but also for the sake of the people around them which include their families and the people in the squad.
