In
his latest weekly column, Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol looks at
what changes might be afoot when the Premier League returns and what
training might look like in these ever-changing times...
BALLS
Footballs will have to sterilised if and when the season restarts. Studies
have shown that the Covid-19 virus can survive for up to 72 hours on
different surfaces but it can be easily killed by cleaning with common
household disinfectants.
In order to minimise the risk to players, some club doctors are recommending
that matchballs are cleaned thoroughly before they are used by players.
"Anything that can be cleaned will be cleaned," one Premier League backroom
staff member said. "We will not be leaving anything to chance."
In Spain, club doctors also want pitches to be treated with disinfectant.
"Everything, even the pitches will have to be sterilised," Ralf Ramos,
president of the Spanish club doctors' association, said. "It's possible to
be infected by an untreated ball but when you are hit by a sterilised ball
on a sterilised surface it's very hard to get infected."
When football returns it would not be surprising to see more players wearing
gloves even at the height of summer - especially players who regularly
handle the ball when they take throw-ins
FOREIGN PLAYERS
In a sign that football is slowly gearing up to come back, some foreign
Premier League players have been asked to make sure they are back in England
by next Tuesday.
Players such as Chelsea midfielder Willian and Brighton goalkeeper Matthew
Ryan were given permission to return to their home countries last month.
Being back in the country by Tuesday would mean players would be ready to
return to training if some lockdown restrictions are lifted by the
government on May 7.
The situation could become more complicated though because the Government is
discussing asking new arrivals in the UK to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Premier League can afford the option of chartering private jets to fly their
players back to England.
Players will need to train for three weeks before games can start again. If
the season is to restart on June 8 then players would need to be back
training by May 18.
Asking foreign players to return early next week would give them just enough
time to self-quarantine if required for two weeks until May 18.
PLAYER SAFETY
The Government wants football back and clubs want football back but what
about the players?
The majority of them want to get back to work but it is understandable that
some would have reservations about playing again this season.
The Government believes restarting sport will be a boost to the nation's
morale. Every necessary precaution will be taken to make sure games are
played in a safe environment behind closed doors.
Some players though would still rather stay at home with their families
until things get back to normal.
The health and safety of all players, club employees and fans remains
football's number one priority. The message from football's stakeholders is
loud and clear - nothing will ever be done that will put anyone's health and
wellbeing at risk.
WEST HAM PLAYERS RETURN TO TRAINING GROUND
West Ham United's Rush Green training ground is open to players but with
strict conditions attached.
They are operating a one in one out policy and players have all been
notified of the conditions.
Some West Ham players live in apartments and have limited access to outdoor
spaces to maintain their fitness. By allowing them access to the training
ground, West Ham are helping them stay in shape.
Players book when they want to come in and have to arrive in their own cars
in their own training kit.
There is also a time buffer between each 60-minute session to make share
players don't come across each other.
Players using the training ground have been told the main building remains
out of bounds so they have to bring anything they may need with them.
That includes water and towels. And they have to wait until they get back
home to have a shower.
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