Not the news the Premier League needs after watching a successful Bundesliga restart this weekend past. Burnley and Watford confirm positive COVID-19 tests causing more unrest ahead of the restart.
The English Top Flight‘s plans to commence with immediate effect as early as June 1 has seen some setbacks just after all clubs announced they have returned to full training. It was affirmed at the start of the week up to six people tested positive with COVID-19.
The league’s first mass testing was carried out where “748 players and staff members from 19 clubs” were reported to be tested for the Coronavirus. Of the six found infected, three are said to be from Watford (one player and two staff members) and one from Burnley (assistant manager Ian Woan). The rest of the COVID victims remain unknown.
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"One player and two staff at Watford and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan are among six positive Premier League tests for coronavirus. The other two are at a third club, the details of which have not been revealed. A total of 748 players and staff from 19 clubs were tested. Norwich City did their tests on Tuesday. (Via: BBC Sports)"
Troy Deeney‘s no training plea backed by club’s COVID carriers
As per BBC Sport, the Hornets‘ club captain was always unwilling to return to training and just like that team-mate, Adrian Mariappa made a public announcement he is one of those at Watford to contract the virus.
All the more reason for Deeney to linger longer at home alone. It doesn’t take a genius to know this will force him and others to stay away from team training. Well, regardless of what happens next, all those who test positive must self-isolate for “seven days”. The usual 14 days have been cut in half. Makes you think hey?
A new restart date for “Project Restart”
The reboot date was first set for June 1 but this now clearly a premature attempt at trying to win at life like the Bundesliga. The next date put forward was June 12, although, it will certainly change again to a later date with these recent developments of the infected Premier League members.
We could in actual fact start looking at July as a more reasonable date to kick off the long-awaited and incomplete 2019-2020 English Premier League campaign. What’s the rush? Money?
Full story here: BBC Sport