Chelsea defender Thiago Silva could be punished for giving a match worn shirt to the Fulham construction worker after the Blues victory on Saturday … with players being instructed NOT to give shirts in the new Covid protocols
- Thiago Silva could be punished for breaking Covid’s first division protocols
- The Chelsea player gave his shirt to a Fulham construction worker on Saturday
- New league rules say players cannot exchange or donate T-shirts during matches
- Several top-tier games have been delayed due to virus outbreaks in clubs
- Richarlison did the same thing when Everton played for Fulham in November
Thiago Silva may face disciplinary action from the Premier League for breaking coronavirus protocols by giving his match shirt to a construction worker in Fulham on Saturday.
After Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Craven Cottage on Saturday night, the Brazilian defender tossed his combat shirt to an individual working on the rebuilding of Fulham’s Riverside Stand.
The Premier League launched new strict protocols this week to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among squads, which included a ban on exchanging or distributing used t-shirts for matches.
Thiago Silva may face disciplinary action for not respecting Covid-19 protocols on Saturday
Chelsea defender tossed the shirt to a construction worker after his team’s victory at Fulham
Silva played the full 90 minutes at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon before giving his shirt to the Fulham worker.
Everton winger Richarlison did the same trick when Everton, from Carlo Ancelotti, visited Fulham in November, although the Brazilian received no punishment.
England’s top flight has seen several postponements of games this season, as some clubs have been unable to add teams due to multiple outbreaks of coronavirus.
The new Premier League rules brought in this week say players cannot give or exchange t-shirts
Everton winger Richarlison performed the same feat when his team played for Fulham in November
Chelsea’s opponent Fulham on Saturday was one of the teams affected by an increase in cases this season, as festive games against Tottenham and Burnley in December were postponed.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, has not played since New Year’s Day, as its training camp remains closed due to a virus outbreak earlier this month.
Villa’s match against Everton, initially planned for Sunday afternoon, was the last first division match to be canceled due to health risks caused by the coronavirus.
Among the stricter protocols are avoiding ‘handshakes, greetings and hugs’ during matches, in order to limit unnecessary contact.
Fulham is working on developing its Riverside booth (photo) during the current season
League rules instruct players not to celebrate as a team, although some clubs do not follow them
Although new rules come into play this week and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters emphasizes the ‘critical importance’ of complying with regulations, most clubs still chose to celebrate as a team on Saturday and avoided social detachment.
Brighton, West Ham, Wolves, Chelsea and West Brom celebrated normally after scoring in their weekend matches, although James Maddison of Leicester chose to respect the rules during the Foxes’ game against Southampton on Saturday night.
The midfielder waved his teammates away from celebrating with him and shook his hands from a distance after opening the scoring at King Power Stadium.
