Players in the English Premier League (EPL) will have to forget about doing the traditional handshake before a match between opponents to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, the league said yesterday.
“Coronavirus is transmitted through drops from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted to the hands and then through the handshake.”
“The traditional handshakes in the Premier League will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice,” the statement said.
The normal walk-out protocol will be carried out by officials before each game and both teams will line up as usual, but players will send their opponent’s post without shaking hands.
Well-known English football clubs like Southampton, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Ham United have banned handshakes at training sessions. Not just that, some European clubs have also taken similar steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
Source: Reuters