Premier League’s foreign legion facing pressure from families over alleged railroading into return

THE Premier League’s foreign legion are coming under pressure from their families over allegedly being railroaded into playing again.

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero broke cover last week when he admitted players were “scared” of returning to action amid the coronavirus crisis.

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Premier League chiefs are determined to bring players and coaches inside the tent and ensure they have a full voice in restart discussions.

But there are particular issues with players from France, Holland and Belgium — where football has been cancelled until September.

One PL insider explained: “There’s an argument that all players might have a legitimate legal standpoint to say their health and safety is being compromised, or even threatened by being made to play.

“They may be able to argue that point. And they can always find an excuse not to make themselves available, citing an injury.

“But it’s also the case that there’s an extra issue with French, Dutch and Belgian players.

“Their families are asking why they are possibly going to be put at risk by the Premier League and their clubs when football has been stopped by the governments in their own countries.

“At the same time, they are looking at a higher death figure in the UK — and yet seeing football wanting to return soon.”

TESTING CONCERNS

Last Friday’s meeting of the 20 Premier League clubs saw two hours being spent discussing the proposed medical protocols.

There are still understood to be concerns, even from teams broadly supportive of a return to training and games.

There are questions over how testing and training regimes would be adequately “policed”.

One club chief said: “We all know how hard it is to get players to agree to do things outside training in normal circumstances.”

League bosses are aware of those issues and plan to send in a team of outside experts to oversee the testing requirements at each club.

They insist they will operate “under expert medical advice after consultation with players and managers”.

Premier League bosses have less than three weeks to meet Uefa’s May 25 “deadline” to confirm restart plans.