Premier League players in tier four areas will be tested for Covid-19 twice a week as soon as it is practically possible to do in England.
Players have been testing on a weekly basis since the start of the 2020-21 season. But testing at clubs in tier four areas will now revert to the level used during ‘Project Restart’ in the summer. The increased testing will be widened out to clubs in lower-tier areas from next month, it is understood.
The Government placed large parts of south-east and eastern England into tier four last weekend over fears of a new strain of the virus which is believed to be more transmissible. The Premier League clubs in tier four are Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham.
Out of 1,569 players and Club staff tested, the figures released on Monday from the league showed that seven had tested positive to Covid-19.
The former England and Manchester United Star Gary Neville believes it would be nonsensical contemplating suspension of the premier league despite the increasing threat of a mutant strain.
”I was a little bit nervous in lockdown about it coming back in the first instance” he told Sky sports ‘But a big, massive well done to the Premier League for the way in which they have conducted a safe return. ‘It’s a nonsense now if football is ever suggested to be stopped. A number of players have had it (coronavirus), but football must continue. If you see construction, manufacturing… the shops are still open.’’
