Sunderland players have been told they can not travel abroad despite their forthcoming weekend break as a precaution against the spreading coronavirus, as reported by the club’s official Twitter feed.
The Black Cats are without a game over the penultimate weekend in MArch courtesy of Bury’s exclusion from the league, which gives their players a welcomed break. They’re battling for a place n the top six in League One and some may have been tempted to grab a couple of days in the sunshine to recharge their batteries.
They won’t be allowed to do so, as Phil Parkinson confirmed in today’s press conference. “Due to the coronavirus, the lads will not be allowed to go abroad when we have our break later this month,” he said, dashing plans for some spring sunshine on foreign beaches.
Concerns over the rapid spread of Coronavirus has already led to the postponement of England’s Six Nations match against Italy, as well as causing widespread disruption to the Italian football calendar.
Nike have also closed their Sunderland office amidst fears of an outbreak and now Parkinson is taking no chances with his players, as he concluded.
“It’s a decision we have made as a club because it is unwise. We need to give ourselves every chance of keeping the virus away from the football club.”
The news has, of course, drawn reaction from supporters, who don’t seem to be too sympathetic to players being grounded in the UK.
Putting the foot down PP I like it
— RyleySAFC (@ryleyjohnsonx) March 5, 2020
Why? Was wishing hume would catch it
— Reformed NathNsafc (@nathnsafcc) March 5, 2020
Send them to primrose valley
— dom (@vibedom) March 5, 2020
Players at home during the break pic.twitter.com/lGshj5whN8
— Jay (@JayFrancis91) March 5, 2020
Mind it's such a hard life being a professional footballer ?
— James Walton (@James82safc) March 5, 2020
Good. Give them extra training
— Will_J_ (@WJC_95) March 5, 2020
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