Fantasy Premier League Is Becoming A Growing Issue For Clubs, Discussed At Board Level
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Premier League clubs have discussed the negative impact Fantasy Premier League is having in regards to team news leaking.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish was ruled out of yesterday's clash with Leicester City due to injury - but many already knew thanks to FPL.
The Athletic have reported teammates Matt Targett, Conor Hourihane [on loan at Swansea City] and Neil Taylor all transferred the 25-year-old out of their team prior to his injury being confirmed.
Other members of staff also did so, including physio Rob Marshall.
Fantasy Premier League becoming growing issue for clubs. Highlighted by #AVFC players/staff transferring Grealish & #LUFC captain switching Alioski - accidentally leaking team news before matches. Some clubs discussing it at board level @TheAthleticUK #FPL https://t.co/YovnzDgIaE
- David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 22, 2021
Information regarding FPL is quite easy to obtain and there is currently no regulation from the Premier League regarding it.
It is believed staff could be encouraged to not pick players from their own teams to give away crucial information.
Villa manager Dean Smith discussed Grealish's injury following Sunday's 2-1 defeat and he was aware of the news.
He stated: "I've been made aware that on social media there were some rumours that he wasn't going to play. If it's coming out of our training ground, then I find out where it is coming from and reprimand where it's coming from.
"Yeah, it certainly does [give a leg up] and it's something I wouldn't be happy with so we'll certainly get to the bottom of this."
:warning::small_red_triangle_down: [AVL] Multiple insiders transferred OUT Grealish!
○ [02-19] Matt Targett
○ [02-19] Conor Hourihane
○ [02-19] Neil Taylor
○ [02-19] Scott (1st Team Performance Analyst)
○ [02-18] Rob (Physio)#FPL #GW25
- FPL Insider (@insider_fpl) February 19, 2021
Grealish has a shin injury and is expected to be out for around two to four weeks.
Villa aren't the only team to have had leaks regarding FPL.
Leeds United's personal league has been discovered online and captain Liam Cooper transferred Gjanni Alioski out of his team last week.
:warning::small_red_triangle_down: [2021-02-19] [LEE] Liam Cooper has transferred OUT their own teammate Alioski! #FPL #GW25
- FPL Insider (@insider_fpl) February 19, 2021
Alioski sat out Friday evening's 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers and it was the first game he's missed since November.
Featured Image Credit: PA Images & FPL
Topics: Aston Villa, Football, Jack Grealish, Premier League, England
