The PFA will begin to fund weekly Coronavirus checks at clubs in the EFL, reports The Athletic’s Holly Percival. The funding will not cover extra tests but it is hoped that these weekly checks will stop matches being postponed due to positive COVID tests.
PFA to Fund Weekly Coronavirus Checks at EFL Clubs
Some EFL Clubs Struggling to Fulfil Games
The EFL has already seen numerous matches this season postponed due to positive cases of COVID-19 affecting clubs.
An outbreak at Leyton Orient, where the majority of their first-team squad became infected, saw their Carabao Cup tie awarded to Tottenham Hotspur after they were unable to play.
However, this weekend, Tranmere Rovers were left with just ten first-team players due to Coronavirus absences but were told that they had to play against Salford City by the EFL.
Testing has not been mandatory in the EFL as it is in the Premier League, instead relying on workplace social distancing and strict hygiene measures.
What is Involved?
This funding is not for clubs to get regular, weekly tests. It will instead cover the costs of experts from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) to visit the training grounds and stadiums of EFL clubs to check that they are adhering to the measures in place.
This is likely to remain in place until the end of the 2020/21 season.
What Was Said?
Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, said: “The PFA has committed to pay for audits for the remainder of the season and will work closely with the EFL to ensure that clubs can continue to fulfil their fixtures.
“From the outset of the COVID outbreak, the concerns for the welfare and safety of players and all club staff has remained the PFA’s top priority.”
EFL chief executive David Baldwin added: “The funding from the PFA will allow us to not only highlight the positive aspects of the protocols, but also to pick up on any areas of improvement to continue the fulfilment of fixtures in the 2020/21 season.”
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