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VACCINE NUMBERS OFFSIDE
FREE CHOICE FOR PLAYERS, INSIST MANAGERS By Samuel Leah Sports Writer
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ince the Premier League kicked off in mid-August stadiums have been regularly full of fans as restrictions across the United Kingdom are reduced and the sporting world takes further steps toward normality. This is thanks to the successful vaccination programme that currently stands at just over forty-five million with two doses. Younger groups are now being offered their jab witb booster jabs for the elderly. With the reduction in hospitalisations this therefore gave the green light for several major sports competitions to resume with fans in stadiums. To begin with, some proof of vaccination was required in order to attend but now that fans are regularly attending once again, questions have started to be ask if players must do the same. The message presented at the started of the season from FA and other officials was that there was no mandatory requirement for players to get the vaccine, however after only a few weeks and with player cases appearing more rapidly, the stance has supposedly changed. The Premier League are set on producing ways to urge players to stay safe and get vaccinated. The CEO of the forementioned Premier League, Richard Masters, held on to the belief that players would organise their own vaccinations by the end of September. Now, in the middle of October with cases across the country rising once again along with talks of new variants; solutions must be found in order to improve the percentage of vaccinated players in England's top flight. The situation has undoubtedly garnered a lot of attention from the public after Chelsea FC's player N'Golo Kante tested positive for the COVID-19 virus a month ago, the manager of the team, Thomas Tuchnel, was pressed on the matter during a press conference and subsequently quizzed regarding his view on vaccinations and if he knew if all his players had received the vaccine. "The player's are adults" Tuchnel responded, going on to add "and have a free choice whether they want to get the vaccine or not". Kante, who turned 30 in March, served the routine ten-day isolation period and returned to normal subsequently. As of yet, there has been no confirmation regarding if he had been vaccinated or not. Fur-
Photo by Hakan Nural
thermore, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, boss Nuno Espirito Santo organised for his entire lower-percentage whose mother passed away last year from complisquad to all travel to a vaccination centre and have of unvaccinated cations with the virus, has encourgaed not just his both doses as a team, under advice from their players which may team but the players in the wider league to get the club's personal doctor. As a club, they've clash with the forejab. remained cautious throughout the enmentioned managThough, he too admits, that the decision simply tire pandemic with their work indeed ers who stated the cannot be forced on anyone. A Sky Sports poll conpaying off; they are as of writing, the uptake of the jab is ducted at the start of the season revealed that only only club in the league to have an a personal choice. 7 out of 20 clubs had over half their players fully 100% vaccination status. However, as of revaccinated; two-thirds of the entire league still yet Liverpool Boss, Jurgen Klopp, has cently it seems all to be jabbed. been somewhat vocal on the matter. these factors have Newcastle United, for example, have a very small The German manager, was happy to helped. percentage of fully vaccinated players. The major report that 99% of his squad were fulVaccination rates reason behind this has been stated as ly vaccinated and that he hasn't had to in the league have vaccine related conspiracies theories "convince any of his players" to get the increased, at least alongside the spread of rum o u r s jab, with the belief that they are aware in part, since Sepon social media. Something the vaccine protects others as well as tember, and as of that is a familiar trend in the yourself. the latest Premier ulos taropo wider population as a whole. In terms of trying to covince specific League weekly reh u o ean M D And it's not just in club footplayers that are in support of port - 68% of Pre& r e meist ball either. various COVmier League playa Bau ik M by The international team ID-19 e r s are now double Photo came under fire earlier vaccinated, with a much this season after it was rer e l a t e d larger percentage of 81% of playvealed that five players had conspiracy theories, government ers having received their first dose. refused the jab all together, deputy medical-officer Jonathan Van-Tam has The Premier League, some say, once again due to anti-vaccioffered to record various messages 'clearing up' should therefore be applauded for nation theories in circulation. any misinformation in regards to the jab. In an their work in upping numbers of fully FIFA have stated that unvaccinated attempt to sway such public figures opinion. vaccinated players. While there is still work players would still be allowed to atThis is certainly in the interest of Health Secto be done, the difference made is clear and fans tend but are still urging for vaccines retary Sajid Javid who has also emphasised he can certainly feel a lot more at ease as a result. to be received. England Managis 'disappointed' in the few players that have There's still no enforced 'rule' that players require er, Gareth Southgate, was part refused the vaccine. This political condemnaboth doses of the vaccine in order to continue to of a pro-vaccination program tion seems to have done little in swaying the play and it may look like some players will continfor the NHS following the Euro 2020 forementioned sceptic players, it has to be said. ue to follow their own advice despite the League's Championship this summer - its e l f So, what does this mean for the fubest efforts. delayed by the ongoing pandemic. ture of the league as a whole? It seems many would agree that fans as well as This received backlash from fans as a result, he Well, the Premier League officials seem to be managers will feel safer if they know the majoriresponded by commenting that he could undercracking down hard, stating concern about ty of their players were doing their bit to control stand the skepticism and that some players might the low level of vaccinationed players in total. the potential spread of the virus and avoid further have some anxiety surrounding vaccinations. He It's been rumoured that incentives will begin to be infections. Matches, at present, continue to carry also pledged not to reveal his team's vaccination introduced for clubs that have over half their playon as normal with no major COVID-19 restrictions; status, leaving the decision ultimately up to them. ers fully vaccinated. how long it'll stay that way remains to be seen. One player who has recently been vocal on the Personal reminders will be sent to the clubs with subject of vaccinations is Chelsea FC and England midfielder, Mason Mount. The 22 year old served an isolation period this summer after coming into contact with a fellow teammate who tested positive and admitted that it was that period of isolation leading to a missed involvement in a game which served as a driving factor; now having received both doses. In an all too familiar trend with even pro-vaccine voices, Mount also added that he still doesn't think anyone should be "forced" to get the vaccine. However, on the flip side of this injection rePhoto by Belinda Fewings lated coin, then-Wolves