Morecambe boss: Covid-19 tests are a costly process

Derek Adams believes the expense incurred is the reason behind the delay to mandatory Covid-19 testing.
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Bi-weekly testing began last week, funded by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

It comes at a time when football has seen matches repeatedly called off as a result of the pandemic.

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Morecambe have had their share of issues with the virus this season.

Morecambe manager Derek AdamsMorecambe manager Derek Adams
Morecambe manager Derek Adams

They had already encountered two instances of players being forced to self-isolate last year.

Then, over the Christmas period, the whole squad and management team had to do the same after positive tests.

That saw the matches with Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City called off, while skipper Sam Lavelle also missed the FA Cup tie at Chelsea.

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Blackpool boss Neil Critchley had questioned last week why it had taken so long to introduce testing if the money was there to do so.

However, when asked if he agreed with that view, Adams said: “I think it’s very expensive if you have to do the testing.

“The PFA are paying £5m, which is a lot of money, and I think that’s the reason it hasn’t happened until now.”

For good measure, players and teams have also been reminded of their responsibilities in terms of sticking to protocols following a number of incidents both on and off the field.

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West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce has questioned the need for new guidelines over goal celebrations which have been issued by the Premier League in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The Baggies’ boss says he is unsure why it makes any difference to prevent players from hugging when they have already passed all protocols enabling them to play.

Nevertheless he has vowed to urge his players to comply with the guidance in a bid to prevent more controversy after an MP described the actions as “brainless” last week.

Allardyce said: “Certainly jumping on each other and hugging each other is out of the question now. I’m not sure why we’re in a bubble here and we get tested twice a week that it makes a difference.

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“If that’s what the protocols are, we’ll try our best to adhere to it but I can’t promise that anyone won’t get carried away if they score a goal.”

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