The Premier League has confirmed that six players and/or club staff from three clubs have tested positive for coronavirus ahead of Project Restart.
A statement read: "The Premier League can today confirm that, on Sunday 17 May and Monday 18 May, 748 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19.
"Of these, six have tested positive from three clubs.
"Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.
"The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and oversight.
"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the Premier League due to legal and operational requirements."
Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan has tested positive for coronavirus, the club confirmed.
748 top-flight players and staff underwent Covid-19 testing on Sunday and Monday as clubs unanimously approved protocols around "phase one" training under 'Project Restart'.
It was revealed earlier on Tuesday that six tests across three clubs had come back positive, with specific details regarding the identities of the clubs and individuals concerned not divulged due to "legal and operational requirements".
However, Burnley subsequently released a statement to confirm that Woan was among those to have tested positive.
The former Nottingham Forest stalwart - who has served as Sean Dyche's assistant since 2011, first at Watford and then Burnley - will now self-isolate for seven days with a view to being tested again on May 25.
Burnley confirmed that Woan was currently asymptomatic and "safe and well at home".
An official club statement read: "He will remain in close communication with club personnel regarding his re-engagement in training once he is clear of the virus.
"Everyone at Burnley Football Club sends their best wishes to Ian and his family.
"Burnley Football Club will continue to follow the first stage of the return to training protocol, while adhering to Premier League guidance in terms of testing all players and backroom staff twice per week."
Malaga announce player contracts will be suspended or terminated
Malaga have announced they will be suspending or terminating player contracts in order to ensure the club's survival amid the financial crisis brought on by coronavirus.
The Andalusian outfit reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2013, but are now in Spain's second tier and have become the first club in the country to opt for collective redundancy after more than two months of inactivity due to Covid-19.
"Malaga Club de Futbol has made the decision to start the collective dismissal procedure as of today, May 19 2020," the club said in a statement on Tuesday.
"The Club communicates that it has taken the decision to present an employment regulation file for the termination and/or suspension of employment contracts."
Malaga went on to add that a number of measures were in place to alleviate the club's difficult economic situation and thanked fans for their understanding of the situation.
"The restructuring of the Club joins this package of necessary measures to ensure the survival of Malaga Club de Futbol," they said.
"The club thanks fans and season ticket holders for their support during these difficult times and asks for their understanding in light of this complex process that starts today and the club will endure in the coming months, with the sole purpose of committing to the future of the institution."
Malaga were relegated from LaLiga at the end of the 2017-18 season.
In February, Qatari owner Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani was removed as their president for six months by a Spanish court.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) have released concerning results of a survey regarding the mental well-being of its members during the coronavirus crisis.
All professional football in England has been suspended since mid-March as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, with talks ongoing over the best way forward for each EFL division and Premier League clubs voting unanimously to return to small-group training from Tuesday afternoon.
Such a lengthy shutdown has evidently had a considerable effect on the mental health of both current and former players, as evidenced by the PFA's latest survey.
22 per cent of the 262 members - six per cent among current footballers - surveyed by the PFA between April and May responded that they felt depressed or had considered harming themselves.
The data showed that 182 of the 262 (69 per cent) were worried about their future football career or livelihood, and 72 per cent were regularly aware of feelings of nervousness or anxiety.
The survey also found that 24 of the group - equating to nine per cent - were experiencing difficulties with damaging addictive habits.
0 Comments