Inspectors have been sent to training grounds across the country to ensure protocols and strict guidelines are being followed as they warn clubs against spitting habits.
Premier League clubs have been warned to clamp down on spitting. Teams of inspectors were dispatched to training grounds in the country to oversee sessions and ensure clubs stick to strict guidelines and protocols.
But one of the biggest things causing concern is the players’ habit of spitting regularly through workouts.
The Premier League’s snoop squad are understood to have informed several clubs they must stop spitting even though some players do it almost without thinking.
Players don’t deliberately spit in defiance of any rules. Contrarily, they do so to clear their airways and it has become second nature during the training sessions.
Spitting has been banned in the training protocols and players will also be stopped from sharing water bottles, swapping shirts, and goal celebrations are also outlawed.
The Premier League has deployed the enforcement officers to check if clubs are complying with the second phase of contact training ahead of the scheduled return to games on 17th June.
The league has also been keeping a close eye on sessions using video and GPS technology to ensure clubs adhere to the approved guidelines.
There are no set punishments should any team continually break the guidelines. However, several medics raised spitting as a particular concern because the spittle can travel so far and spread the virus. While it is seen as a disgusting habit in normal society, it is just accepted as a done thing in football.
It comes as clubs begin to prepare for approved friendly games as they step up training sessions. Most will start with internal games against development squads, under-23s, and fringe players but they will be allowed to do games against other clubs under strict supervision.
Clubs are likely to be limited to only playing with nearby teams. Players may also have to make their own way to the practice matches.
The clubs are also facing the prospect of being urged to use private planes to travel long distances to away games when the season restarts as they are seen as being more secure than coaches and trains.