English Premier League has released a statement about the normal handshake which takes place before any match. The statement was on the Premier League’s website and it reads: “The Premier League fair-play handshake will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice.
This recent development is in response to the recent rise and rapid increase in the spread of the coronavirus which is now a global issue. Coronavirus is spread through droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake, so the best way to control this is to restrict handshakes for now.
Premier League leaders Liverpool announced on Thursday that they would not be having mascots at Anfield. They have also canceled staff traveling to any high-risk countries and “reminded everyone of good hygiene practices”. Liverpool management also said there will be “hand sanitizers or antibacterial hand wash material or even both available in all the washrooms at Anfield. Also there will be personal hygiene information posters.
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce said his players already started theirs since last week while West Ham boss David Moyes said instead of normal handshakes which the players normally do they will rather do fist bumping instead of shaking hands.
Southampton has also banned their players from signing autographs or even take selfies with fans. League One club Sunderland also told their players no one should go outside the country when the break comes.
The question now is if the players won’t be shaking hands and football is a contact sport, won’t they be making contact when they play? Well for now, all measures are to be taken to ensure this virus does not spread in England just as it has increased in Italy. If handshakes will prevent it then, we won’t be seeing players giving themselves handshakes before or after the games. This development starts from the EPL Matchday 29 games which starts tomorrow Saturday.
Top of Form
