Exclusive: EFL to start Covid testing twice a week

[ASFN Admin]

The Football League (EFL) is to introduce twice-weekly testing for players and staff at clubs in the Championship and Leagues One and Two, the Telegraph Sport can reveal, in response to the rise In Covid infections nationally as the three divisions are beset by match postponements. Many Football League players have not been tested since the international break in November, in stark contrast to their Premier League peers who are now tested twice a week - but with postponements spiralling the EFL felt it had no option. So far the EFL has been relying on medical advice that protocols around training and matchdays would be enough to protect players and staff from infections. However, a spate of postponements across the leagues, including two Championship fixtures scheduled for today has forced the EFL to reconsider and testing is expected to start this month. A round of testing for players and staff had long been scheduled for this week, originally a one-off programme to coincide with the new year although that now will see the start of regular tests. Those playing in the FA Cup will also be given tests funded by the Football Association. There were weekly tests last season for Championship players when the league season restarted in June. The curtailment of Leagues One and Two meant that those clubs have never been tested regularly. Last season the EFL testing programme for Championship players was returning negative results for more than 99 per cent of players and staff tested but since then the national picture has now changed drastically. The costs of testing has also been judged prohibitive in the past especially for players in the two lower divisions. The cost is expected to be borne from central funds. It was hoped that the players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association would make a contribution from its emergency funds but no such help has been forthcoming.

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