With the cases continuing the rise in English football, EFL clubs have reportedly called on the PFA to pay £5 million for weekly COVID-19 testing. According to the Guardian, the call comes amid growing concerns for the welfare of players following an increase of cases.
As the cases continue to rise, games will continue to be disrupted, in both the EFL and Premier League. Already, we have seen several EFL games face postponement due to positive cases of COVID-19.
Now, even the Premier League is beginning to face issues, with games involving Everton, Manchester City, Burnley, Newcastle United, Fulham and Aston Villa facing suspension.
In the latest round of testing, the Premier League recorded a season-high 40 positive cases of COVID-19 within the division.
EFL Clubs Call on PFA to Fund COVID-19 Tests
Growing Disruption
In the Premier League, clubs have the financial power to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, but, as you go down the divisions, that financial power significantly drops- hence why clubs are calling on the PFA for funding.
For the first time this week, the EFL has undergone mandatory testing and will introduce two weekly tests, but only if funding can be agreed. The news comes as a result of over 40 games facing suspension throughout the Christmas period.
For the continuation of the season in the EFL, funding must be agreed. Testing was only scrapped last summer because of the cost; money should not become an issue over player welfare on this occasion, and the EFL should receive the necessary funding.
Cambridge United Chairman Has Say on EFL Testing
Cambridge United Chairman, Ian Mather has had his say on the current situation, telling the Guardian: “Currently we’re not planning for a weekly testing regime and quite frankly we couldn’t afford it.
“I think there needs to be another stream of funding [for testing]. I think the obvious funding source is the PFA. If you do a back-of-the-envelope calculation it might cost £5m to do testing every week to the end of the season in the EFL.
“That’s about 10% of the PFA’s reserves. I think they’re the obvious group to fund it. They’ve got the resources to do it, it’s a player welfare issue.”
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