Burnley assistant
manager Ian Woan was named Tuesday as one of six individuals at three Premier
League clubs to have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The results came
after the Premier League announced earlier Tuesday that it had tested a total
of 748 players and club staff for COVID-19 on Sunday and Monday.
Premier League
officials did not name the individuals concerned but a Burnley statement said: “Burnley
Football Club can confirm that after completing a COVID-19 test on Sunday, 17th
May, assistant manager Ian Woan has tested positive.”
“In line with
strict Premier League requirements and following a positive test, Ian will now
self-isolate for a period of seven days, with a view to being tested again week
commencing Monday, 25th May.
“Ian is asymptomatic
and is currently safe and well at home. He will remain in close communication
with club personnel regarding his re-engagement in training once he is clear of
the virus.”
Premier League
clubs began returning to training in small groups on Tuesday after protocols on
safety measures were signed off on Monday
Brighton have
previously confirmed three positive cases among their squad at different stages
of the pandemic, while positive tests for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi played a major role in the decision to
suspend matches on March 13.
The number of
positive cases represents just 0.8 percent of those tested and is consistent
with similar widespread testing conducted by other major leagues hoping to
complete the season.
Germany’s top two
divisions registered 10 positive cases out of 1,724 tests two weeks ago ahead
of their return to action last weekend.
Five players from
Spain’s top two divisions tested positive last week before La Liga’s return to
group training.
Premier League
clubs are aiming for a return to action by the middle of next month, but face
resistence from players concerned over their welfare.
Watford captain
Troy Deeney has said he will not return to training this week due to fears he
could pass the virus on to his five-month-old son.
“I can’t get a
haircut until mid-July, but I can go and get in a box with 19 people and jump
for a header,” said Deeney on the Talk The Talk podcast.
“I don’t know how
that works. No one could answer the questions, not because they didn’t want to,
but because they don’t know the information.”
Newcastle left-back
Danny Rose claimed players were being treated like “guinea pigs or lab rats”.
Rose’s manager
Steve Bruce said the majority of his players are in favour of a return to
training and praised “meticulous” planning on behalf of the Premier League to
make the environment as safe as possible.
However, Bruce has
also questioned the limited preparation time players could have between
returning to contact training and competitive matches, warning his squad could “fall
down like a pack of cards” with injuries.