Players take on Coronavirus outbreak

As several countries resort to complete lockdown over COVID-19
fears, players have different views about the spread of the viral flu.

On Sunday, Wayne Rooney took to media, faulting the UK
government and football authorities over what he termed as treating footballers
as “guinea pigs” during the coronavirus outbreak.

The English Premier League has been suspended until April 4,
2020, adding that the “conditions at the time” will determine its
return.

“For players, staff and their families it has been a
worrying week, One in which you felt a lack of leadership from the government
and from the FA and Premier League,” said Rooney.

The former England captain added, “The rest of sport –
tennis, Formula 1, rugby, golf, football in other countries – was closing down
and we were being told to carry on,”

“I think a lot of footballers were wondering, ‘Is it
something to do with money being involved in this?’. Why did we wait until
Friday? Why did it take Mikel Arteta [Arsenal manager] to get ill for the game
in England to do the right thing?”

“After the emergency meeting, at last the right
decision was made – until then it almost felt like footballers in England were
being treated like guinea pigs.”

“I know how I feel. If any of my family get infected
through me because I’ve had to play when it’s not safe, and they get seriously
ill, I’d have to think hard about ever playing again. I would never forgive the
authorities.”

At the same time, Gremio football club players (Brazil) took
to the field wearing masks on Sunday in protest against playing a football
match as fears over coronavirus grow across the world.

Their manager Portaluppi said, “The whole world has
stopped – shouldn’t Brazilian football stop as well? That’s our message and I
hope they listen. We hope that good sense will prevail.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba set up a
fundraising page and pledged financial support to Unicef to help children
affected by coronavirus.

The France international says he will double the fund if his
goal of £27,000 is reached.

“The impact of a large-scale outbreak, especially on
poor and vulnerable children, can be immense,” Pogba said.

The 27-year-old added that, “Nonetheless, not everybody is
in good health right now. At times like this we need to come together.”