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Gillingham can continue their season despite the second national lockdown but manager Steve Evans thinks those playing on should be routinely tested for Covid-19.
English clubs playing at elite level - the top six divisions of the men's game - have been given the green light to continue but clubs like Gillingham, playing in the Football League (the EFL), are not currently required to test their players for Covid-19.
Last season’s campaign in EFL League 1 and 2 was curtailed partly due to the fears of how much routine testing would cost. There are still hopes that testing - if made mandatory - will be funded by one of the game’s bodies but Evans won’t be holding his breath.
Speaking before the government’s announcement of new restrictions, which start on Thursday and run to December 2, Evans was asked if testing should be taking place.
“It has to be if we go into lockdown doesn’t it?” he replied.
“It tells you they are locking us down because the virus is rampant. Then again it should be supplied automatically for key workers. My daughter is a teacher. What about young players? Every one of us should be tested.”
Evans has been critical of the EFL over their handling of the recent game against Fleetwood. Their opponents that day had just played an Accrington team who were awash with the virus, 19 players and staff eventually testing positive.
Gillingham are isolating and testing players on an individual basis, with Alex MacDonald, Christian Maghoma and Declan Drysdale all receiving negative results since the season started.
Speaking after the weekend defeat to Sunderland, the Gills boss said: “I would assume if we go into lockdown we would go back to Covid testing through the EFL but they are rudderless so I don’t know what is going to happen.
“I listened to Karl Robinson (the Oxford manager) slag them last week and then praise them this week. He needs to be consistent doesn’t he? They are rudderless.
“Where is the funding package for the Football clubs. I am told by a reliable source that seven clubs never paid their wages for October, that is serious problems coming for everyone.”
The EFL released a statement shortly after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation.
They said: “The EFL notes the difficult decision taken by the government in respect of the implementation of a ‘national lockdown’ in England from Thursday 5 November 2020 in response to the rising cases of Covid-19.
“During this next phase it has been confirmed to the league by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that elite sport will be able to continue and EFL competitions will therefore remain as currently scheduled (in both England and Wales).
“Professional football has implemented some of the most stringent, robust and regularly reviewed protocols since the restart in June 2020 and our medical experts’ advice remains in place to fully adhere to these measures which are specifically designed to mitigate against the spread of the virus.
“The health, safety and well-being of players and Club staff throughout the pandemic has been our first priority and this will continue as we enter this next period of lockdown and beyond.
“In addition, we acknowledge the government’s national efforts in tackling this outbreak and would hope that during this next phase of the crisis, our national sport, negatively affected by Covid-19 like many other industries, can continue to provide some form of welcome distraction and give people in our communities up and down the country a sense of normality in very challenging times.”
Gillingham’s FA Cup game with National League side Woking will be able to go ahead as their opponents are deemed as elite. The Isthmian League and the Southern Counties East look set to be halted, along with all grassroots football. An announcement from the FA is expected soon.
A brief statement from the FA on Saturday night said: "We acknowledge the government’s announcement today regarding Covid-19 restrictions and are awaiting further information before we can confirm how this may affect non-elite football across England.
"We will communicate any necessary updates in due course."
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