Premier League chief urges players to change behavior

Premier League chief Richard Masters has urged players to ‘change their behavior’ in a bid to reduce transmission of the coronavirus.

The UK has entered a new lockdown, but elite sport has continued despite the growing number of positive cases among professional sportsmen in the Premier League and other tournaments like the Gallagher Premiership.

The Premier League have updated on-pitch protocols that players must now follow, such as avoiding kissing when celebrating goals.

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While some players may find it difficult to adjust their demeanor when it comes to instinctive actions such as celebration, Masters insisted that players must act with caution in these troubling times.

“All we ask is that the players adapt to the situation. I think they understand that we are in a privileged position – we are able to play, we are able to continue, we are able to practice our trade when millions of others are not.

“Obviously the rules are in place to keep people safe. You have to follow the rules and set a good example.

“So we are asking players not to kiss in groups, we are asking players to change their behavior around these social moments at the start and end of games, and I’m sure they will adjust accordingly.

“I think all the sport is played in the moment, it is played with emotion, and I think if we set ourselves a goal of perfection, we will not be up to it, but I think it is okay to ask for people to adapt, ”Masters told Sky Sports.

‘They will understand’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted players may struggle to follow the guidelines to celebrate, but others, like Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, have pledged to end the celebrations in close contact .

“It’s the same message – and we’ve spoken to club captains, managers yesterday and today, and they’re all behind it.

“I think Frank Lampard announced this morning that he is actually going to practice goal scoring, and I think if every club does that they will understand,” Masters commented.

Find out more about: Coronavirus, Premier League