[Football] Sportsman and Covid

[drew]

There have been a number of cases where professional sportsmen have ignored the guidelines and subsequently contracted Covid-19. There are, of course, cases where they have inadvertently become infected but for those where they have been the authors of their own misfortune, should the relevant sports be handing out far harsher penalties? It seems that they get a bit of a lecture and that's it whereas their actions could jeopardize the entire sport. Sale Sharks have just forfeited their fixture that could have seen them make the play-offs!

Surely the governing bodies, eg the EPL, should be doing more to protect their product, ie matches, so should any transgressions be punished with, for example, a 6 game ban or maybe a 30 day ban from all football activity so they wouldn't even be able to train.

Walker, Grealish, Foden, Greenwood have all acted like spoilt knobs. Have to say clubs could also do more and fine players and publicise the fact!

 

[GT49er]

Clubs probably can't do more because of contracts, and the amounts of money invested. Won't inconvenience the players either. If Phil Foden worked for Manchester City Council they could sack him and he would be out of work and seriously inconvenienced - but because he's employed by Manchester City, if they sack him another club will pay him a fortune as a signing on bonus, plus match his wages at City. The poor lad would be devastated and destitute .... not!
The EPL and EFL could do more, though - 5 game bans, 10 for a second offence. That would disadvantage their clubs, obviously, but they could at least apply sanctions - as much as permitted in the players' contracts anyway.

 

[BNthree]

Surely game time bans must be the only effective punishment as a fine isn't really going to do much unless it is a high % of wages.

 

[drew]

Have to say I'm all for lengthy bans. 6 games is effectively one sixth of the season. 10 for second offence and soon the clubs will be demanding far more professionalism from their players.