Premier League and government urge footballers to get Covid-19 vaccine

In October, West Brom forward Callum Robinson said he does not want to be vaccinated

The Premier League and UK government have urged footballers to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Six of this weekend's 10 top-flight games have been postponed because of outbreaks of the virus at clubs.

In the English Football League - where 25% of players say they do not intend to get the jab - 19 fixtures due to be played on Saturday have been postponed.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has asked clubs to "strongly encourage" players to get vaccinated.

"We have collectively highlighted the importance of vaccination and it has never been more important," he wrote in a letter to all 20 clubs.

"Please strongly encourage those who are not fully vaccinated to become so, and the many who are, to get their booster, which appears to be the only significant layer of protection against the Omicron variant."

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston added: "Getting the jab is the socially responsible thing to do.

"The most important thing anyone - including footballers - can do to protect themselves, co-workers and loved ones is to get vaccinated and get a booster.

"I know the football authorities are also working with players to understand why some are vaccine hesitant."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes getting a vaccination should be mandatory "from a moral point of view" and revealed "99%" of his squad have had both jabs.

"It's a question of persuading," he said. "If I do something that helps the people around me then for me that's mandatory - but obviously some people see that differently.

"I'm 54 years old and I am really a big believer that you can convince people about the right things to do but I'm not sure in this specific case."

• The Sports Desk: Should sport get tough on vaccine hesitancy?

• Covid timeline: Weekend's sporting events hit by new cases

• No 'secret plan' to shut down Scottish sport

The most recent data from the Premier League, published in October, revealed that 81% of Premier League players had had at least one jab, while 68% had been given two doses.

There are no official figures for vaccination rates in Scottish football, where tighter protocols have been introduced aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19.

Across the UK, 89% of over-12s have had their first vaccine dose, 82% have had their second and 44% have had a booster.

However, across England the vaccination rate for under-40s is below 75%.

Unvaccinated people who are deemed a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus must self-isolate for 10 days under the legal requirements set out by the UK government.

Why are some players not getting vaccinated?

Some people choose not to be vaccinated, citing a number of factors, including their lack of confidence in the vaccine, concerns about side effects, or a fear of needles.

Others - a minority - opt out of vaccination because of their consumption of misinformation and conspiracy theories online, particularly on social media.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said he understood some players had their own concerns about getting the jab but added that he believed the vaccination rate compared favourably to the rest of society in the same age group.

"Players are no different to people in society in that age group - some people have their own views and concerns," Parish told BBC Breakfast.

"We have a very high vaccination rate - I think - in the Premier League for the age group that players are compared to the rest of society.

"But there are players who have concerns - medical issues which mean they can't get vaccinated in the same way, or just individual or family concerns. We have to work through those and do our best."

Former Premier League doctor Matthew Ogunsanya told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think it is simply a case of perceived risks versus the benefits.

"Ultimately you have to ask the question why do some players see the risk of the vaccine and why don't they see the benefits of it? The reasons for that will vary."

The Premier League, EFL and the Professional Footballers' Association have arranged for players to meet with England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam to discuss concerns regarding the vaccine.

Former Scotland and Chelsea winger Pat Nevin said he was angered by those players who are not getting vaccinated.

"I can't see the honesty in it," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "I'm not convinced unvaccinated players should be allowed to carry on playing as it's unfair on the other players."

What do the managers say?

Liverpool boss Klopp has spoken passionately about Covid-19 vaccines, urging sceptics to "trust the experts".

He used his programme notes before Thursday's 3-1 win against Newcastle to encourage people to get vaccinated, writing: "If I come across friends or people I care about in my life away from football and they tell me they haven't had a jab yet, I do my best to encourage them to listen to experts.

"It's never a case of 'listen to me' - it's always 'listen to those who know'."

Pep Guardiola's mother died after contracting coronavirus in April 2020

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has long spoken up in favour of getting the vaccine, saying previously: "I think the doctors, the medical department can do it, so the players have to know that is [to] protect them, family and the rest of society. But no-one can obligate them to do it."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who contracted the virus in the early stages of the pandemic, said he has encouraged his players to get the vaccine.

"The doctor has done a really good job to try to explain to everyone - because culturally as well there are a lot of thoughts around it," he said.

"We just try to educate them to try to encourage them to make the decision, but first of all they have to believe in that."

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte said he would like his players to get vaccinated but would not force anyone to do it.

"Honestly, this is a personal matter, the vaccination," he said.

"I've been vaccinated and my family, my daughter and wife, did the same. I'd like that other people do the same but every single person needs to take the best decision for himself."

Matt Taylor, manager of League Two side Exeter City told BBC Sport he would not be influencing any of his players to get vaccinated, stressing it was "their decision".

"From my discussions with players who haven't had the vaccine, there's a lot of influences, and they're understandable," Taylor said.

"Whether it be things in terms of enlarged organs, heart problems, respiratory problems, possible fertility issues, they've got a whole host of questions which come up and often remain unanswered.

"Sometimes people think it's a straightforward decision as to whether you do or don't get the vaccine. But it's not as easy a decision because everyone's circumstances are totally different."

What is the situation like in Europe?

Italy

• Serie A says 98% of its players have been double jabbed. Juventus and Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini took to social media at the start of December to urge his followers to get their booster jab.

France

• In France, 95% of players have been double vaccinated and there are a low number of positive cases in Ligue 1.

Germany

• In the Bundesliga, 94% of players have been double vaccinated. Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich tested positive for coronavirus in November and said he wished he had chosen to vaccinate earlier.

Spain

• More than 90% of La Liga players have been double vaccinated and stadiums are still allowed at full capacity.

Could rising cases cause the season to be put on hold?

Nine Premier League games have been postponed over the past week and there have been calls for the season to be paused until 26 December to enable clubs get control of the situation.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank suggested on Wednesday that all games are called off until 26 December to enable a reset.

However, Liverpool boss Klopp said he could not see the benefit of stopping the season.

Premier League clubs will meet on Monday to discuss the escalating crisis around the coronavirus pandemic, with managers and captains also meeting later in the week. The league's governing body says it intends to carry on playing matches as long as it is safe to do so.

• Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - follow your team and sign up for notifications in the BBC Sport app to make sure you never miss a moment