Please tell me you are not trying to justify this just because they are paying for them?

I haven't seen anything about groups travelling but I guess it's a bridge they will have to cross in the near future. I think the fear of litigation is driving a number of the current directives where football is concerned.

I don't know what will happen in a few weeks but the training protocol now includes players and staff travelling in separately, arriving already changed and not entering the building, training in small groups and all equipment (balls, cones, hurdles etc) being disinfected. Physios just be in full OLD and only treat soft tissue injuries. There is a multi page document and players are being asked to sign a document to say they are understand and agree to the protocols.

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/help-and-support/coronavirus-travel-information Avant West Coast are limiting their seating capacity to enable social distancing. The luxury coach the first team use seats 37 in normal circumstances. Having to distance from each other would roughly halve that. With a playing squad of say 18 plus coaches and medical staff that in my book would necessitate two coaches. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/august/new-coach-more-than-passes-the-test/ I can't answer your other questions.

Testing alone is going to cost Championship clubs £210k. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18454365.cost-coronavirus-testing-championship-clubs-revealed/ With Rovers having three of their remaining five away matches a considerable distance away I was wondering what the travel arrangements would be. For London games they travel by train and are met by a coach at Euston to take them to the hotel. Normally they book a full first class carriage for players and staff but they would probably need two now. Similarly they would need at least two coaches. I know they have flown to Cardiff in the past on a private charter but now that would probably need two planes given the planes are quite small. For overnight stops they will likely need more rooms for single occupancy rather that sharing. Post match there will be no showers available if the training protocol is to be followed and players will have to turn up at the ground already changed. All of this would come at a pretty heavy cost.

I saw an interview with the Port Vale Chairwoman and she said immediately after yesterday's meeting and subsequent annulment they had a board meeting to plan for next season. The cost of testing and all other associated issues required to start up are simply out of their reach. It seemed to me that it has been a fait accompli for League Two for some time now. Darned if you do I suppose.

In fluid play it shouldn't be too difficult but some set plays where players have to be managed from close proximity might cause concerns.

Oliver Kay is a master at stating the bloody obvious. Of course it breeds 'brazen self interest' and surprise, surprise it's financially driven. This is the monster that greed has created.

I believe that any referee who doesn't feel safe will not be forced to go out onto a pitch but my gut feeling is that none will refuse. I would have to give it serious consideration but based on what we know now I would refuse.

I speak regularly to a friend who is still involved with Select Group 1 and the referees are in limbo as are most of the players as to when/if it will be back. Much like the players they have got individual training plans which have to be strictly adhered to. When and if it does start they will travel individually to the ground rather than in the usual people carrier. They will also be in tracksuits and not shower until they are back at the hotel post match. As far as their equipment goes nobody knows if the whistles, flags and head sets will be sterilised. I used to have to wash my whistle after every game did to the saliva build up. I'd be surprised if, when blowing the whistle particles of saliva don't spray out.

The second part of Real Kashmir is on BBC Scotland. It covers David Robertson who upped sticks and went to Kashmir to manage the football team and it's trials and tribulations. It's not for the squeamish as the language is pretty choice but nonetheless it's very enjoyable.

But did you sign to agree to them? Lots of measures have been brought in throughout all aspects of life but my point is you don't have to sign essentially what is a waiver to agree to them.

Do you honestly not believe that it's an arse covering exercise by the clubs and the PL borne out of fear of litigation. As Parson says the slightest doubt about any aspect of safety will be enough for some players not to sign it. It tells me that the PL and clubs know there is a risk. Would you be happy to sign a document before going in Asda or in your place of work agreeing to their safety protocols?

Clubs want to get training again but the PL are insisting that all players sign their training protocol document. It looks like a disclaimer to me. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11987232/coronavirus-players-must-sign-consent-for-group-training

I keep reading about players taking wage cuts but the vast majority (including Rovers) have taken wage deferrals for a couple of months. Whilst that is very noble and undoubtedly helps their respective clubs it's only for a couple of months and then they are entitled to get the deficit paid back.

73% of football fans say a return won't boost their morale. https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/survey-results/daily/2020/05/11/7a47b/2

So does it not matter because it's non league? The FA have the same duty of care to every league irrespective of status and as such should be applying the same standards. Despite your implication (which I think may be about money) it's double standards, something which the FA have previous for.

And the same FA have declared steps 3 to 6 null and void with no promotion or relegation. The FA will be powerless in a battle with the PL. Remember when the PL was formed as the FA Premier League? The FA bit was dropped not long after because they offered nothing. https://thefsa.org.uk/news/seasons-voided-at-steps-3-to-6-of-non-league/

I think it's more about the test kits than facilities. There clearly aren't enough kits at the moment for people that really need them. They should be used on the people who are risking their lives for us, elderly people and anybody at risk not footballers whose employers have lots of money and a private company more than happy to take it.

I didn't see it but reading into your comments it appears that the testing of players has been arranged at a private clinic. In my view it doesn't matter where they are held, those tests should be prioritised and done on people that really need them. Privatisation once again being used by the wealthy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52605961 A third Brighton player tests positive.

Define a genuine football fan.

I'm not missing it at all Matty. In fact I almost want enough clubs to rebel against the proposals of 'Project Startup' and really put the jitters up the lot of them. I still feel bitter about the league's and Scudamore's lack of action when we so desperately needed them.

https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/09/premier-league-footballers-receive-coronavirus-test-results-quicker-key-workers-12677023/ The PL are paying a reported £4m for testing of players and staff and are expected to get the results back within 24 hours. The frontline NHS staff and care workers are having to wait longer according to the article. If this is true it's another reason to dislike football.

I agree about not being allowed in until next year but in light of Waggott's comments about the possibility of some from of reimbursement hypothetically it leaves the club in a very difficult situation. Assuming we have played nine or ten home games by then and current season ticket holders are discounted for the four missing games it effectively means we will have to pay for only nine or ten games. And factor in if we aren't doing reasonably well and there is still an element of fear some just won't bother. Assuming we don't pay for them until the turn of the year that is pretty much no income for nine months. I can't see too much income commercially neither. Something will have to give.