Since the first announcement of coronavirus COVID 19 in China in December, its spread has brought havoc in many parts of the world. Many activities and operations have largely been affected by the virus. For instance, football activities of English Premier League clubs have also been affected, as this disease does not discriminate against anyone. Despite footballers training heavily to remain incredibly fit, these players are still susceptible to the virus. The effect of the infection can be experienced by all league games and other competitions around the world. Many of them have been forced to postpone their games. Even though governments are trying to curb this spread, its destruction still is immense. For instance, the Euro games of 2020 have been postponed until 2021. This virus is spreading all over Europe, and some top profile footballers and managers have tested positive for the disease. The shutdown isn’t just dangerous for the clubs of the EPL, but also for the whole industry depending on professional football. Especially bookmakers offering sports bets, like the popular ones compared on this site, are having a hard time right now. If there are no matches, bookmakers, of course, aren’t able to make any money. Bookmakers with eSports bets in their portfolio most likely will sustain, while some smaller, less liquid sports betting providers might go bankrupt soon.
Premier clubs affected by the virus
1.Arsenal
Arsenal was the first club to be affected by a coronavirus after the Gunner’s boss Mikel Arteta tested positive for the disease. This resulted in the match between Arsenal and Brighton Albion to be postponed immediately. According to the government’s health line directives, all Arsenal personnel, who came into contact with Mike, were to isolate themselves for 14 days. Also, the gunners’ first-team squad and the coaching staff were asked to isolate themselves. This leading to a temporary closure of the Hale End Academy, which was their training ground. After those shocking announcements from the Gunners club, led to the suspension of all English premier league games.
2. Bournemouth
Bournemouth club officials had to close their training academy after five of their employees displayed signs related to the coronavirus pandemic. All of them were asked to isolate themselves for 14 days in line with the government and public health guidelines. The players were asked to practice from their homes to prevent them from contracting or spreading the disease.
3. Chelsea
The blues announced in March that their 19-year old player Callum Hudson Odoi tested positive for the disease. Odoi thus became the very first premier league player to have contracted the disease. All club officials, coaching, and backroom staff were asked to have self-isolation, and the men’s team building at the training ground was temporarily closed down. This was a big blow as the game between the blues and Aston villa was cancelled.
4. Everton
This is another English premier league club that was affected by the corona pandemic. The training ground was partially closed, and players advised to stay away from club sites. This was after one of the first team players displayed symptoms related to the high temperatures of the coronavirus. Also, all players and club personnel who were close to the infected player were asked to isolate themselves as per the public health directives. The game between them and the crystal palace was postponed.
5. Leicester city
Leicester city training ground was partially closed; this was after three players of first-team squad displaying signs of coronavirus pandemic. These players complained of having an extremely mild illness, which made them take immediate self-isolation for 14 days with health officials monitoring their conditions closely. Other players, too, were asked to isolate themselves in their houses to prevent them from contracting the virus.
6. Liverpool
The reds under their boss Jurgen Klopp have been affected indirectly by the coronavirus, considering that all premier league games and fixtures have been postponed. Despite them being at the top of the premier league table and only a few matches remaining, this pandemic has stopped them from being awarded the Premier League trophy. Also, their training ground was closed partially, and players asked to train from their homes.
7. Manchester city
The citizens being the second club in English premier league table, its defender Benjamin Mendy, who is 25 years old, was asked to isolate himself after family members had tested positive from corona virus pandemic and admitted to the hospital. Other players from the first-team squad were asked to isolate themselves for 14 days before the public health line. The main reason was to prevent them from spreading the virus. Like in other clubs, the training ground was closed, and players requested to practice from their homes.
8. Watford
Watford club stopped all its training after some of its players displayed symptoms related to the coronavirus pandemic. All players were asked to go for self-isolation while monitoring their health conditions closely. Also, the training ground was partially closed, and players requested to train from home to maintain their fitness. All games that were to be played was postponed.
9. Wolves
This is another English premier league club that was indirectly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This was after the appeal to UEFA to get back to their Europa League in the last 16 first leg against Olympiakos failed. The league was postponed after the Olympiakos club owner tested positive for coronavirus a few days to the match. The club also closed its training ground temporarily, and all players asked to train from home.
According to premier league club officials, matches should be allowed to play behind closed doors because currently under this pandemic, the session can’t finish, and it will bring implications during relegating or promoting teams.
