Watford manager Nigel Pearson says ‘trust has been lost’ due to Premier League Project Restart’s ‘lack of transparency’
Nigel Pearson believes some trust has been lost due to the lack of transparency over the plans to get the Premier League season back underway.
The Hornets are significantly thin on the ground as top-flight clubs return to training, with numerous players missing due to a combination of positive tests for coronavirus and individual safety concerns.
Watford manager Nigel Pearson is worried there could be a fatality if the Premier League returns too early
Adrian Mariappa and two members of staff are self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, while two more players have gone into self isolation after being in close contact.
Meanwhile, several players, including Troy Deeney, are staying away from training due to reservations about the safety of football in the current climate.
The bid to try and get football going again has received mixed reactions while Pearson said there was still questions to be answered.
He told talkSPORT: “It’s been really good to see the players and staff and see smiles on faces but of course there is the other element of there will still be some concerns and there is a lot of questions that cannot be answered at the moment.
Adrian Mariappa tested positive for coronavirus in the first round of testing
“I think there is an element of trust that has been lost through lack of transparency. All those things don’t really align with everybody being on the same page.”
Last week, Pearson warned there could be a fatality if the Premier League was rushed back too soon.
He said football should not bow to the pressure being placed on it by the government.
The 56-year-old said: “There certain things we have to be patient with. What I wouldn’t want to see or what I really don’t want to be pushed into is having a situation where we are trying to meet a timetable with politicians rather than what’s right for the sport.
“I’ve said what I think over the last week or so and I certainly stand by that now. Having heard the government talk about it this week it is very clear we are very much on their agenda to ease their pressure somewhat.
“My focus is very much on making sure safety and wellbeing of my players and staff and colleagues and that they are safe.”
Simon Jordan has his say on Troy Deeney’s refusal to return to Watford training over COVID-19 fears
Watford captain Troy Deeney was among those who said they would not return to training due to safety fears.
BAME players are said to be more at risk from COVID-19 while Deeney’s young son has breathing difficulties.
Pearson added: “You can’t force people to work. If you didn’t think your workplace was safe you wouldn’t go in, would you?
“It’s not different from anybody else. I don’t see a reason why we have to judge footballers any different from anybody else.
“My children are adults now, but I know people with young children and one of their quandaries are ‘do we take our kids back to school or not?’ If you aren’t sure then your kids won’t go back to school.
“The question we are trying to answer at the moment, and the argument I’m trying to make a stance on, is very similar to that situation.
“You wouldn’t punish parents for not allowing their children back to school at the moment, would you? You wouldn’t reprimand them because they are trying to keep their kids and family safe.”
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