Wayne Rooney says the government and football authorities have actually treated footballers as “guinea pigs” during the coronavirus break out.
Elite football in Britain has actually been suspended till a minimum of 3 April, with the Premier League stating “conditions at the time” will determine its return.
” For players, staff and their households it has actually been a stressing week,” he said.
” One in which you felt an absence of leadership from the government and from the FA and Premier League.”
Writing in his column in the Sunday Times, the former England captain said: “The rest of sport – tennis, Formula 1, rugby, golf, football in other countries – was closing down and we were being told to carry on.
” I think a lot of footballers were questioning, ‘Is it something to do with cash being associated with this?’. Why did we wait up until Friday? Why did it take Mikel Arteta[Arsenal manager] to get ill for the game in England to do the ideal thing?
” After the emergency situation conference, at last the ideal decision was made – up until then it practically seemed like footballers in England were being treated like guinea pigs.
” I know how I feel. If any of my family get infected through me due to the fact that I’ve needed to play when it’s not safe, and they get seriously ill, I ‘d need to concentrate about ever playing once again. I would never forgive the authorities.”
Now, 34 the former Everton and Manchester United player is just over two months into his time as a player-coach at Championship club Derby.
The Rams are currently five points off a play-off berth in the 2nd tier with 9 video games of the season remaining, and Rooney believes there will have to be an extreme restructure of the football calendar to enable components to be fulfilled.
” We enjoy to play up until September if the season reaches then, if that’s how it has to be. That’s our job,” Rooney added.
” As long as we understand we’re safe to play and it’s a safe environment for viewers, we’ll play.
” The next World Cup is in November and December 2022, so you might really use this circumstance as an opportunity and say we’re going to finish the 2019-20 season later this year, then prepare for 2022 by having the next two seasons beginning in winter season.”
Footballers’ messages of uniformity
World greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have actually blazed a trail as footballers have actually sent their thoughts and best wishes to the world at big during the coronavirus outbreak.
In a post on Instagram, Messi stated: “They are complex days for everybody.
” We live concerned about what is taking place and we wish to help putting ourselves in the place of those who are having the worst of it, either because it directly affected them or their friends and family, or because they are dealing with the frontline to fight it in hospitals and health centres.
” I wish to send out a lot of strength to all of them. Health must always come first. It is a remarkable moment and you must follow the directions of both health organisations and public authorities.
” Only in this way can we combat it effectively. It is the time to be responsible and remain at house, it is also perfect to enjoy that time with yours that you can not always have. A hug and hopefully we can turn this situation around as soon as possible.”