Reports: Premier League medical professionals say return to football isn't safe

Premier League medical personnel are advising against a return to football amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, medical experts from each of the 20 Premier League clubs raised concerns about the safety of players and team personnel in an email sent to Mark Gillett, medical advisor for England's top-flight competition.

From The Athletic: “Do all the staff have to sign that they are happy with the COVID-19 protocol? Is this a disclaimer if anything happens to a player? Who is liable, the doctor or the Premier League? As doctors, how can we ‘approve’ guidelines that still carry risk of death?”

There is more: "The effects of heavy exercise, training at preseason intensity and playing two matches per week with 'minimal' time available for recovery could result in 'lowered immunity' and 'increased risk' of developing infection. Will this affect severity if infected (with COVID-19)?”

According to Ornstein, the memo also addressed the emotional stress medical personnel, players, managers and others required to complete the season will face if the campaign resumes in June: "Medical staff are likely to be one of the highest risk groups for COVID-19 as they will have multiple regular close contacts. Who is looking after their mental health?"

Earlier on Tuesday, Dan Roan and Laura Scott of BBC Sport reported that team doctors remain unclear on safety protocols, such as player testing. 

Currently, the Premier League is eyeing June 12 as a return date. Clubs had between nine and 10 matches remaining on their domestic schedules when the league suspended the campaign due to the virus outbreak in March. 

Last week, Manchester City star Sergio Aguero admitted that some Premier League players are scared to return to their clubs without the existence of a vaccine protecting them from the virus. Aguero's comments came one day after ESPN's Alex Shaw reported that "a growing number of Premier League players" don't want to play during the pandemic.