{"id":577633,"date":"2021-01-06T07:28:12","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T12:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=577633"},"modified":"2021-01-06T07:28:12","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T12:28:12","slug":"efl-clubs-pfa-covid-19-testing-fee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/06\/efl-clubs-pfa-covid-19-testing-fee\/","title":{"rendered":"EFL Clubs Call on PFA to Pay COVID-19 Testing Fee"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the cases continuing the rise in English football, EFL<\/a> clubs have reportedly called on the PFA to pay \u00a35 million for weekly COVID-19 testing<\/a>. According to the Guardian<\/a>, the call comes amid growing concerns for the welfare of players following an increase of cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the cases continue to rise, games will continue to be disrupted, in both the EFL and Premier League<\/a>. Already, we have seen several EFL games face postponement due to positive cases of COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Now, even the Premier League is beginning to face issues, with games involving Everton, Manchester City, Burnley, Newcastle United, Fulham and Aston Villa facing suspension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the latest round of testing, the Premier League recorded a season-high 40 positive cases of COVID-19<\/a> within the division.<\/span><\/p>\n

EFL Clubs Call on PFA to Fund COVID-19 Tests<\/span><\/h2>\n

Growing Disruption\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cambridge United Chairman Has Say on EFL Testing\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cambridge United Chairman, Ian Mather has had his say on the current situation, telling the Guardian<\/a>: “Currently we\u2019re not planning for a weekly testing regime and quite frankly we couldn\u2019t afford it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI 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 \u00a35m to do testing every week to the end of the season in the EFL.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“That\u2019s about 10% of the PFA\u2019s reserves. I think they\u2019re the obvious group to fund it. They\u2019ve got the resources to do it, it\u2019s a player welfare issue.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>