PREM captains and managers will hold a ‘hugging summit’ with League chiefs today – in a bid to fend off calls for a shutdown.
Growing criticism over players’ goal celebrations have reached Governmental level with Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston making a public warning.
Prem chiefs are concerned that a widespread backlash could put the entire game on the backfoot and make the prospect of an enforced pause more serious
And while there is no current Government push for the game to be temporarily closed as the mutant strains of the virus spread, the emergency virtual meeting will address all the issues.
England skipper Harry Kane’s vow that the Spurs players would not hug after a goal was kept to during the draw with Fulham, although Jose Mourinho’s men did high-five each other.
But Manchester City hugged en masse after Phil Foden’s winner against Brighton.
That followed similar scenes on Tuesday night.
Now all clubs have been summoned for today’s virtual gatherings, involving separate meetings with skippers and managers.
Prem leaders will reiterate the message that Covid protocols MUST be followed to the letter.
Those rules have already been sent out to all clubs.
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But the feeling is that by getting the captains and managers to pass on the gravity of the situation, it will bring restraint to head off the threat to the Prem.
It is understood that the meetings were scheduled by the Prem at the beginning of the week, rather than being a response to the scenes of the past few days.
But those incidents have intensified the need for action and players and managers will be left in no doubt of the requirement for all Prem stars to follow the rules to the letter.
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