Lawrie McMenemy insists players fear rushed return to action | OneFootball

Lawrie McMenemy has said some players are against returning to Premier League action for fear for infecting their families with Covid-19.

The former Southampton manager, who led the Saints to a famous FA Cup final victory against Manchester United in 1976, added that he believes that it is too soon to be thinking about resuming games.

In a column in the Southern Daily Echo, McMenemy wrote: “They [the players] do not want to be the person who comes back home with signs of the virus – and there have already been Premier League players that have had the virus.”

The 83-year-old, who also managed Sunderland and Northern Ireland during a lengthy and distinguished career, suggested that finishing this season right before the next one begins would be the safest way of progressing.

He took issue with the proposal to play games at neutral venues, saying it would put some teams at a distinct disadvantage.

“I think neutral grounds are out of the question if, for instance, you take Saints as an example: we’ve already played away at Man City, one of the hardest fixtures in the league, and we were robbed – more or less – of a draw in the final minutes.

“Everyone from the management, players and supporters who were there that day would be looking forward to the home game.

“It would be without a crowd but at least it would be on our own ground.”

Southampton were in 14th place when the Premier League was suspended in March, seven points clear of the relegation zone.