In the Premier League, fear and lies fill the vaccination gap

The Premier League reckons it has done as much as it can to convince players to accept the vaccinations. Not only did Van Tam speak to the captains of the clubs in the league, but he also released a video, highlighting the importance of vaccinations and dispelling myths, to reinforce the message. He visited the teams in person. Other clubs, struggling to convince their individuals to get vaccinated, have been offered visits by experts hoping to answer questions and allay fears.

The clubs have also “played their part” as Molango put it. Many have invited medical teams to their training facilities to make it as easy as possible for the players to take pictures. At Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp was an outspoken advocate of the “ethical” of mandatory vaccinations. Leeds United Officials have made vaccination a non-negotiable part of a player’s obligations to his teammates, and on other teams, players have accepted vaccinations after being bullied. teammate’s experience who has tested positive, or effective Covid-related deaths already on friends and colleagues.

However, other clubs have been accused of being too light, not giving enough guidance to players from the outset, creating the illusion that there is no real urgency. Critics say that has created a space in which misinformation can flourish. One Premier League team initially encouraged players to get their shots on time. When that didn’t get much of a response, executives dropped the hint again. After only a few weeks, the club, realizing it had hit a roadblock, took the step of inviting a vaccination team to the training facility.

However, the approach of the clubs is starting to change. This summer, a number of transfers include clauses in player contracts stating that vaccinations are mandatory. Agents expect that to become the norm in the next few months: Klopp, like Aston Villa’s Steven Gerrard and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, has made it clear his club do not want to sign players. have not been vaccinated.

Internal measures are also becoming more stringent. At least one Premier League club no longer allows unvaccinated players to dine with their teammates and requires them to change into their training clothes before arriving or in their cars, rather than entering the dressing room. The Premier League is now looking at tweaking its protocols to make the same precautions more common.

Among those charged with keeping players safe, it is hoped that a more aggressive, draconian stance will prove decisive for all but a few fervent supporters. Until then, all the federation can do is try to combat misinformation, change every mind it can and hope that games can resume.