Leading Hammer of the Year contender Angelo Ogbonna has accused English football’s decision-makers of an “unacceptable” response to the coronavirus crisis.
The call to suspend Premier League and EFL fixtures until April was taken on Friday in the wake of positive tests for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Arsenal hosted Olympiakos on February 27 and the Greek club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis, who attended the game and spoke to several Arsenal players, later revealed he had tested positive for Covid-19, the virus which has brought sport around the world to a standstill.
Marinakis did not disclose his diagnosis until after West Ham’s 1-0 defeat in north London, but Ogbonna said: “It’s absolutely unacceptable that our game against Arsenal did go ahead.
“They’d played Olympiakos and the Greek team’s owner had already been struck down with the virus. It almost seems as if someone needs to die in order for timely decisions to be made.
“It’s not a footballing matter, but it’s entrenched in the country’s mentality. They haven’t fully grasped the risk surrounding this virus which can be spread in just a few seconds if you don’t behave in the correct way.
“I haven’t been tested, which is further proof of the lax attitude here, to say the least.”
ClaretandHugh says: It’s very easy to sympathise with Oggy given that his homeland has become the epicentre of the Coronnavirus crisis gripping Europe. He has every right to claim whatever he feels is right and it does seem strange in some respects that he has yet to be tested. However, that could be because currently the advice is that should you have or feel you have symptoms you remain isolated and are tested at the end of seven days should things not clear up. And with the game now suspended until at the very earliest April 3 – although it’s unlikely there will be a resumption immediately afterwards – there may not be the rush to get all tested in a hurry. Rush Green now has hand cleansing units every few yards apparently, players cars are being cleaned and the premises generally undergoing regular deep cleansing. Two doctors remain on the premises at all times.
Considering we are 4 weeks behind Italy 🇮🇹 what Oggy is saying is right, there are imho fools in charge of the country and industry putting money first and public health second. As for April 3rd to start football, maybe a miracle cure is on its way ?
Wow.. Oggy hasn’t been tested and he’s crying about it. Here’s a radical suggestsion, how about tsking responsibility for your own health and go get tested privately. I’m sure he can afford it.
Seems to me the Hammer of the Year is right. Just being sensible. The government, on the other hand, has decided to let it spread so we develop ‘herd immunity’. Certainly the end of the Premiership season.
The UK has admittedly decided to deal with this crisis differently to other countries. In my humble opinion, it is the right way. Extreme lock downs will only delay the inevitable. Oggy has been fantastic for us this season but for me I find these comments disrespectful. Personally, I would sooner hear his opinions on the defensive frailties which have plagued us this season…