Marina Izidro: Covid-19 outbreaks raise question: will Premier League stop?

It looks like 2020. As I write this column, nine Premier League matches are postponed. Manchester United couldn’t even face Brighton this Saturday (18th) because only seven players are available. Several English clubs are experiencing coronavirus outbreaks, and the UK is running close to a staggering 100,000 cases a day. Is it time for the Premier League to stop?

League officials say no, even after Monday’s announcement of 42 positive cases among 3,805 players and coaching staff members tested last week, the highest number since measurement began in May last year. Athletes now need to wear masks indoors and take Covid-19 tests daily instead of three times a week.

The pandemic is a constant issue in English football, and the way the Premier League deals with it, too. League and certain clubs do not give the names of the infected or updated contagion data. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp, a strong advocate of vaccination, called for more transparency.

​Omicron is spreading out of control in the UK and, even if not much is known about the variant, it is impossible not to associate cases in the league with the slow immunization of players and the resistance of some to getting vaccinated. The current rate of immunizations in elite football was not disclosed, but in October, only 68% had taken both doses.

It’s a contrast to the rest of the country. Almost 82% of the population is fully vaccinated, and the booster dose will be offered to all adults by the end of the year. The Premier League doesn’t punish those who don’t get immunized and is now dealing with calendar problems and fear of contagion.

In the second division, this week’s data shows that only 59% of players took both doses and 25% none. While there is a race against time to curb transmission of the virus, knowing that a quarter of athletes simply don’t want to get vaccinated is hard to understand.

Clubs are considering not hiring those who did not get immunized. Liverpool idol Steven Gerrard and now Aston Villa coach, and Crystal Palace coach Patrick Vieira can consider a player’s vaccination status in the January transfer window. After all, if it becomes contaminated and spends days in isolation, it becomes a problem.

Anyone in need of inspiration can look to the nearby Bundesliga. Joshua Kimmich, from Bayern Munich, said he would not be vaccinated, caught Covid-19 in November, developed lung problems and is no longer playing this year. He repented and wants to be immunized.

Games in England are still open and, after much debate, the vaccine passport has been implemented at sporting events. Now, you must show a vaccination certificate or a negative test in matches with 10,000 people or more. But directors of the public health system urge fans to stay away from the stadiums.

Everyone I know in London knows someone who has Covid-19. Restrictions returned. Holidays are canceled and Christmas is at risk. This happened in December 2020, and England went into lockdown. The thought that it might happen again is frightening.

This week, Brentford coach Thomas Frank called for football to be suspended immediately. Klopp said Liverpool players have had at least two shots and will be boosted and that “getting vaccinated is an act of solidarity.” Reminder that sport is not a bubble – or it shouldn’t be.