Prem clubs ‘fear’ around 50 players could oppose restart plans

Premier League sides ‘fear’ that as many as 50 players could refuse to play in a restarted season.

The Premier League campaign was temporarily suspended in mid-March due to the global pandemic, with ‘Project Restart’ providing skeletal plans for its return in June.

But the government proposals have encountered a number of issues, including ‘rebel’ clubs and an apparent lack of proper communication with players. Sergio Aguero has already said players are “scared” to return in the current circumstances.

Those problems have now been compounded by claims that ‘up to 50’ stars ‘could revolt’ against a return due to health concerns.

The Daily Mirror quote one unnamed club as stating that “two or three” players from every side would heavily oppose returning to training and playing games again due to the medical risk.

This development ‘could seriously undermine’ ongoing plans for the Premier League to resume, with a presentation on Monday designed to outline quarantine guidelines and address any concerns.

It is added that ‘one Premier League player said he would refuse because of worries about his six-week-old baby and loved ones with underlying health conditions’.

Pros and cons of Project Restart: Which side are you on?

There is even the possibility that players are offered the chance to sign ‘separate club agreements’ with ‘fears’ over ‘whether they would be covered by insurance’ if they contracted or spread the virus to family members.

The government will issue a general lockdown update on Sunday, after which clubs will speak to their respective captains and PFA representatives, before the Premier League meets with the government itself to further discuss plans next Thursday.

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