Some EPL players are not social distancing on the pitch. Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Premier League warned about lack of social distancing

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jul 10, 2020 7:43 PM ET

Remember when Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland followed social distancing guidelines while celebrating a goal during the Bundesliga's return amid the coronavirus pandemic in May?

You might soon be seeing similar scenes during Premier League matches.

On Friday, Sam Wallace of The Telegraph reported that the English government has warned the country's top flight about footballers and coaches failing to maintain social distancing rules following goals or during each per-half hydration break.

Players around the league have largely ignored these mandates since the competition's return on June 17. They've continued to embrace after goals and huddle before and during games:

Despite understandable government concerns, league protocols have proved to be effective. On Monday, the EPL recorded zero positive results among 1,973 players and staff members in its latest round of testing.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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