Are Premier League, EFL clubs planning to include ‘COVID-19 clauses’ in player contracts?

Premier League and English Football League (EFL) clubs are trying to include new legal guarantees in player contracts to cover mselves if coronavirus situation in UK worsens. Reports suggest that teams plan to add 'COVID clauses' into new player contracts which will include pay cuts if fans are banned from entering stadiums beyond this season. Several EFL teams have been severely crippled by loss of matchday income and hence, clubs are being more cautious should COVID-19 situation continue to derail hopes of fans returning back to stadiums. 

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Premier League COVID clauses: Teams to include w cut deals in future contracts?

According to reports,  new strain of coronavirus has run rampant across UK, with Government w imposing a third full lockdown and football clubs have t been immune from outbreaks, despite strict protocols. Only last week,  Premier League confirmed a season-high 40 players and/or staff members returned positive results from ir COVID-19 tests.  EFL also reported 112 positive COVID-19 tests from its strategic league-wide testing programme last week.

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At start of December 2020, government allowed a maximum of 2,000 fans inside a select few Premier League stadiums. However, just a few weeks later,  six London Premier League clubs were forced to close ir gates to supporters due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Just before Boxing Day, it was revealed that Southampton and Brighton were also forced to shut down ir gates for fans. 

At moment, only Merseyside clubs, i.e. Everton and Liverpool are ones which can allow a maximum of 2,000 supporters in stadium. With COVID-19 situation in UK w taking a turn for worse, reports from Sky Sports claim that clubs are in midst of trickiest transfer window ever this January.

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Reports suggest that many clubs are w trying to future-proof mselves by including legal small print in new contracts - for new and existing players - that might include pay cuts if games continue to be played behind closed doors beyond end of this season. A number of teams are also adding 'COVID clauses' into contracts of loan players, meaning temporary deals can be cancelled and fees recouped in part. Even permanent transfers will reportedly have COVID clauses inserted in players' contracts.

With certain clauses, players might have to take pay cuts should fans remain banned from entering stadiums, to help cover income lost on matchdays. Premier League game between Tottenham and Fulham, which was scheduled to take place on Monday, was fifth PL game has been postponed this season due to coronavirus.

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