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Just yesterday we talked about how Tottenham Hotspur were one of the few Premier League clubs that was still committed to daily training, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and with infection rates steadily climbing in the UK.
Today, that situation changed again. According to Alasdair Gold, Spurs have voluntarily ceased team training at their Hotspur Way facility, with all players returning home. There are still no reports of any COVID-19 outbreaks within the players or staff at Tottenham.
Tottenham have made the decision, with the extension to the Premier League return date, to end first team training until next month. The players will all keep on top of fitness at home. Some injured players may go in to Hotspur Way for rehab but no training sessions taking place
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) March 20, 2020
Spurs were coming under some mild criticism for continuing to train despite the Premier League suspending all matches through the end of April. They were the only London-based Premier League club to do so, which raised the question of whether it was appropriate to congregate as a team when social distance was being encouraged in the general population; other clubs were likewise not affected by COVID-19 yet but had voluntarily ceased training and encouraged their players to keep up their fitness from home.
Tangentially related, the club posted a short video with Moussa Sissoko, who has been in full training for the past two weeks and under normal circumstances would likely be getting ready to make his full return for Spurs.
"We need to stick together and hopefully, in a few weeks or few months, we'll have a better world."
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 20, 2020
️ @MoussaSissoko #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/pTI6pPTSFB
Yesterday, the Premier League, EFL, and FA announced in a joint statement that football in the UK would be further pushed back “indefinitely,” but no earlier than April 30, and with a commitment to complete the season at some point. The details were unclear, but just about everything about this situation is unclear at the moment.
The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, share a united commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
Therefore The FA’s Board has agreed for the date limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football. Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.
The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.