EFL chief executive's warning for clubs as twice-weekly Covid-19 tests begin

Elite sport has been allowed to continue despite the country being placed in a new national lockdown designed to slow down the rate of Covid-19 infections in the UK.

However, a number of on and off-field incidents, along with an increase in positive test rates among players, means the professional game is under greater scrutiny from the Government and the public than ever before.

Birch says all EFL clubs and their staff must bear this in mind.

In a letter to clubs, he said: “Throughout the pandemic, football has provided a glimmer of hope for many millions of people affected by restrictions but we all understand the scrutiny the game remains under and we will come under extreme governmental pressure if we continue to flout the rules.”

There were high-profile instances of Covid protocols being breached by EFL clubs over the FA Cup third round weekend.

QPR admitted they should not have allowed former player, Eberechi Eze, to attend their tie against Fulham, while Crawley Town’s exuberant celebrations of their upset win over Leeds United also went against rules around social distancing.

“While football is permitted to continue the actions of all participants will be clearly under the microscope, whether this be in technical areas, dugouts, or in relation to general behaviour and interaction between players on the pitch and staff off it,” Birch added.

Birch says individual transgressions must be properly investigated by the clubs concerned and warned: “Any failure to do so may result in action taken by the league individually against the relevant person where it is appropriate and/or against the club itself.”

His warning comes when players and staff at EFL clubs are starting to be tested twice a week, testing which is being funded by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

The results from this week’s tests are expected to be announced by the EFL on January 19.

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