London (AFP)
The Premier League announced on Tuesday that the first wave of coronavirus testing has revealed 6 positive cases in 3 different clubs, out of 748 samples.
"The Premier League can confirm today that 748 players and managers have been tested" Sunday and Monday. Of these (samples), 6 were positive from three clubs, "said the statement.
Knowing that there are 512 professional players, the 748 tests most likely represent the entire workforce and members of the management of the clubs of the English elite.
"Players or staff members who test positive will now isolate themselves for 7 days," added the organizer of the English football championship, which neither names the players nor the clubs affected.
These results come when the 20 clubs of the English elite had voted Monday the resumption of training in small groups while continuing to respect measures of physical distance.
But they soon hope to be able to switch to full training with contacts to carry out their plan to finish the season between the end of June and the month of July.
By way of comparison, 10 positive cases had been identified in Germany, but the wave of tests concerned 1,724 players and members of the management of the 36 clubs of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 (D2).
England, however, is a country much more severely affected by the new coronavirus than Germany since it has the second worst death toll in the world in terms of mortality.
Spain, another country hit by the pandemic, had announced eight positive cases, including 5 players, in the first two divisions.
The resumption of training, even in small groups and even with frequent tests, is far from being unanimous in England, especially among the players.
Watford forward and captain Troy Deeney announced on Tuesday that he had refused to return to training with his club.
"My son is 5 months old and he has breathing difficulties. I don't want to put him in danger," said the player.
"We will be tested and we will be in a very safe environment, but it only takes one (contaminated) person in the group. I don't want to bring this home," he argued.
© 2020 AFP