West Ham boss David Moyes reveals Premier League players are 'nervous' over how much they are exposed to Covid and taking an outbreak home to their young families, after a raft of footballers broke lockdown rules
- David Moyes has come out in defence of players again in relation to coronavirus
- A number of players have been criticised after breaking lockdown rules recently
- Moyes' player at West Ham, Manuel Lanzini, attended a Christmas partyĀ
- Yet Moyes says players are 'nervous' about the situation and spreading the virusĀ
David Moyes believes Premier League players are 'nervous' behind the scenes at being exposed to Covid-19 and taking it home to their families.Ā
Professional football has continued in the face of national lockdown in recent months, with the current high coronavirus rate not yet resulting in a shutdown of the calendar similar to that seen last March.Ā
But with some players flouting strict Covid-regulations in recent weeks, there has been pressure on football authorities to re-iterate the rules - but West Ham boss Moyes opted to defend players and their mentality regarding the Covid situation when speaking before his team's win against Stockport on Monday.Ā Ā
David Moyes has again come to the defence of players, saying they are 'nervous' about Covid
Moyes' team snuck past Stockport and says players are concerned about spreading the virusĀ
'We sat for two hours last night working out how we're going to get tested with the amount of games we're playing in the coming weeks,' Moyes told the BBC.Ā
'We're all aware that the Covid at the moment is really bad. We're trying to take a lot of care of the players, because the players have put themselves at a lot of risk as well. Behind the scenes there is a lot of nervousness.Ā
'The players are going back to young families, their wives, and they have been out exposing themselves [to the virus].
'We're being tested and that gives us a better chance, but it doesn't stop you getting the virus. It is only telling you that you are clear.'Ā
In the latest round of testing, there were 36 positive Covid-19 tests, while Man City, Aston Villa and Fulham are three top-flight clubs who have had to postpone fixtures due to a Covid-outbreak amongst their squads.Ā
Last week, the Premier League issued new guidelines to lessen the risk of the virus spreading, such as avoiding mass celebrations, hugging and swapping shirts.Ā
West Ham's Manuel Lanzini (right) broke Covid rules over Christmas, after taking part in a mass gathering which also included Erik Lamela, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon
Scenes of such a nature in the FA Cup third round over the weekend, including fans congregating outside grounds as seen at Marine on Sunday, prompted irritation in Westminster.Ā Ā Ā
Moyes also defended footballers last week too, after Hammers midfielder Manuel Lanzini attended a Christmas party.Ā Ā Ā
'We have to be careful that everybody isn't picking on football players,' said Moyes. 'We will all know people who have broken the rules in their own way.
'The players have followed the protocols. Every day at the training ground they have to go through rituals just to get into the building. They know what their job is. Like most human beings at times, they can get things wrong.'Ā
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