Chiefs urge players to get double vaccinated
The Premier League is unquestionably under siege in recent days after a massive outbreak of the new Covid-19 variant has ripped through almost every club in the English top-flight.
But there seems to be a key reason as to just why that is.
Data that has come courtesy of the BBC paints a picture of knowing where the problem truly lies; the Premier League itself.
There is still a large swath of players in the Premier League and across the English football pyramid overall that refuse to get vaccinated as well as failing to receive their second jab or booster shot as of now.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: A general internal view of St Marys Stadium, home stadium of Southampton ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary’s Stadium on February 14, 2021 in Southampton, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images)
This has caused Premier League chief executive Richard Masters to urge all twenty clubs to encourage all players to receive the double vaccine while Covid cases continue to rise across the league;
“We have collectively highlighted the importance of vaccination and it has never been more important. 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 mirrored that sentiment;
“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.”
How the Premier League stacks up in Europe’s big five
The pleas have perhaps come too late when vaccination data among Premier League players are stacked up against the rest of the big five leagues across Europe, with England lagging well behind.
Though important to note that the latest data is from mid-October, only 68% of Premier League players were double vaccinated at the time of the numbers being collated.
What on earth is going on with Premier League players and vaccines? These stats cited by @PhilippeAuclair:
Prem League (15 Oct): 68% players double jabbed
Ligue 1: 95%
Bundesliga: 94%
La Liga 92.8%
Serie A: 98%How and why has this happened?
— Michael Savage (@michaelsavage) December 17, 2021
By comparison, that shows an over-20% gap between the top of the English footballing pyramid and La Liga which boasted 92.8% of players double vaxxed. The gap grows when you compare it to the Bundesliga (94%), Ligue 1 (95%), and Serie A (98%).
The fact that none of the other top five leagues have gone throw a mass breakout of cases, or a large swath of canceled matches, speaks volumes.
