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Premier League Clubs Set To Be 'Rewarded' For Player Getting Vaccinated

Premier League Clubs Set To Be 'Rewarded' For Player Getting Vaccinated

N'Golo Kante is the latest Premier League footballer to get Covid and there isn't a complete uptake on the vaccine within the clubs.

The Premier League is set to offer clubs with a higher percentage of players vaccinated a reward, after N'Golo Kante became the latest player to contract Covid 19.

Kante is out of Chelsea's Champions League game with Juventus on Wednesday evening, after Thomas Tuchel confirmed the player's positive test on Tuesday.

However the Premier League is less worried about the midfielder's situation and more specifically about the amount of players who have been vaccinated, with Tuchel revealing he didn't know how many of his players had the vaccine.

The Blues boss also said he felt he couldn't recommend to players to get the jab and it was their own choice, the league clearly want to encourage it.

According to the Daily Mail, a note was sent out to clubs last week in order to get more players to get the vaccine, and it even mentioned a 'reward' for doing so.

"According to the data we have, only seven clubs' squads are more than 50 per cent fully vaccinated, so we have a way to go," the note read.

"We are considering if and how best we can 'reward' those squads/players who are most Covid-compliant and who have opted to be vaccinated.

"It is increasingly clear that full vaccination will be the key criteria for Government and health authorities, in terms of international travel and potential Covid certification at large scale events."

Kante is the latest player to have Covid but as by no means the biggest or only problem. Image: PA Images
Kante is the latest player to have Covid but as by no means the biggest or only problem. Image: PA Images

The Mail also report that two clubs from England's top tier have no more than six players vaccinated, though Wolves, Brentford and Leeds United have between 89 and 100% of their players vaccinated.

Whilst grounds have opened up this season, some Covid protocols still remain in tact in the league, especially when it comes to training.

Broadcasters have also had to interview managers and players on the side of the pitch after games, which led to Nuno Espirito Santo's interview being delayed after Tottenham Hotspur's north London derby loss.

On vaccinations, Tuchel said, "I don’t know the percentage of players vaccinated actually. It’s not even that I don’t want to tell you but I simply don’t know it.

"And we are also only a reflection of society, the players are adults and it’s free choice if they want to get vaccinated or not. And I think we should accept it.

Tuchel won't be telling his players to get vaccinated. Image: PA Images
Tuchel won't be telling his players to get vaccinated. Image: PA Images

"...I can make the decision for myself, and everybody else needs to reflect about it and take a risk or not.

"I think it’s a serious question and vaccination seems to be a proper protection. I am vaccinated, I took the decision for myself. But I don’t really see myself in a position to speak out proper recommendations, I think that would go too far.

"I’m a football coach, I’m not a 100 per cent expert in this and I would leave it up to them. And everybody is adult enough and everybody lives in a free country and a free society, which is a good thing, so people can make their choices."

Fans will be hoping they don't lose too many more of their players to the virus along the way.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Premier League, Chelsea, NGolo Kante