Several of the Premier League’s BAME players have yet to receive the assurances and answers they are seeking to convince them it is safe to return to football amid the coronavirus crisis.
Top-flight clubs today voted unanimously resume contact training though former England defender Joleon Lescott, part of the BAME players’ advisory group, confirmed major doubts remain among a section of players which has left them ‘understandably not wanting to go back.’
Research has shown black people are four times more likely to die from the virus than white people.
Sportsmail has been told one issue is that concerned stars want the Premier League and any other relevant authorities to accept liability should they contract the virus after returning to football amid concerns about also passing it on to family members.
Such a move, it was explained, will offer players a greater level of security by underlining that the authorities are now so convinced it is safe to resume playing football that they are prepared to take on that responsibility.
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Watford’s Troy Deeney are among those who opted out of training last week.
Kante informed Chelsea of his serious concerns about returning though took part in an opening non-contact session. Chelsea are supporting Kante and not putting him under any pressure and happy to let him stay away until he is ready to return.
Watford have the same stance with Deeney and the other Watford players who also stayed away due to health fears.
Watford defender Adrian Mariappa tested positive for the virus following the first round of league wide tests while a number of BAME players including Raheem Sterling, Tammy Abraham and Danny Rose have spoken publicly about their concerns.
The PFA called for more research into the subject which the Premier League and government’s deputy chief medical office Jonathan Van-Tam has attempted to provide though Lescott said: ‘They haven’t got definitive answers as to why it is affecting the BAME community more which has led to players understandably not wanting to go back.
‘Until that is the case it is hard to just say get on with it and wait for the worst case scenario to happen.
‘The people making the decisions and trying to gather the information are providing information but at the moment in time it’s not definitive enough for individual players to make their decision on whether they want to risk their lives and the lives of their families.’
Sportsmail have been told some BAME players have been happy to return for non-contact training but, currently, do not want to play again. Though there is also a belief that many will eventually be satisfied that it is safe enough to play on.
Former Manchester City and Everton centre-back Lescott added: ‘It is about two to five per cent not willing to go back or not comfortable at this moment in time.
‘But as time goes on, you love to play so as soon as you see the games taking place and friends and teammates are not contracting the virus, they are telling you how safe the environment it will just encourage you to make the decision.
‘The number not comfortable going back isn’t going to hinder the playing of football but it is just going to affect some clubs because those players will be important to those teams.’
Source: m.allfootballapp.com