Chelsea gaffer Frank Lampard has voiced his opinion on team celebrations as possible contact spread of the virus that has seen England record a massive coronavirus upsurge.
While football in itself is a sport where contact of any kind is impossible to avoid, new Premier League directions suggest the limiting of contact between players by avoiding hugs, handshakes, and high-fives. Lampard has voted for such a move, although indicating that it will be extremely difficult to dictate emotions on the pitch, in the quotes picked by football.london.
“To control the emotions is a fair ask but to dictate emotions on the pitch will be difficult. I hope players can control it, but this beautiful game we all love does bring out emotions.”
Meanwhile, he made it clear that he will play his part in enforcing a clampdown on unnecessary celebrations, saying:
“We practice social distancing as much as we can in the training ground. On the pitch, it can be difficult at times clearly, because you have to train and get close to each other. So for sure it’s something I will pass on to the players and you see a lot of these group hugs now when they win a five-a-side so that will be something we’ll look at.” (chelseafc.com)
Speaking to BBC Sport, Premier League chief Richard Masters said:
“They know we’re asking them now again to adjust their behaviors on the pitch, in goal celebrations and around the beginning and the end of matches. We’re asking them to adapt and understand why you’ve got to follow the rules and you’ve got to set a good example.”
While it may be silly to hand out a yellow card for players hugging, as suggested by a senior UK politician, it is certainly a matter for debate as such demands deny the whole nature of contact sports such as football.
