Matt Doherty is out of Tottenham’s huge title clash with Manchester City.
Tottenham defender Doherty will have to self isolate for ten days after testing positive for coronavirus while on international duty with Republic of Ireland.
And Mirror Sport can reveal a number of Premier League clubs are fuming after the sudden rise in cases with players away on international duties because they are exposed to the virus.
Players have been forced to leave their own club’s secure bubble, get on commercial airlines and also use different training facilities which can leave them at risk.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho even posted a cryptic message on social media which comes after Son Heung-min was away on international duty with South Korea.
(Image: Getty Images)
Mourinho wrote on Instagram : “Amazing week of football. Great emotions in the national team matches, superb friendlies and total safety.
“Covid test results after matches been played, randomers (sic) running on the pitch while team sessions are taking place and much more.”
That relates to Spurs forward Son being pictured at South Korea’s training base where members of the general public were pictured running round the track on the edge of the pitch.
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(Image: PA)
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Son was forced to self isolate in a hotel room after six other players and one member of staff tested positive.
Doherty – together with Ireland team mate James McLean – tested positive on Sunday, will now miss the City game, faces a race to be cleared for the Europa League tie with Ludogorets but should be available to face Chelsea the following weekend.
But the frustration for the clubs is that there have been very few positives since Project Restart but, ever since the secure bubbles were “broken” for summer holidays and three rounds of international fixtures, the cases have risen dramatically.
Some nations have been using commercial planes while there is concern that players may be travelling to countries with different protocols and restrictions.
Clubs raised the concerns at the last Premier League meeting before the international break with several insisting they should all rally together to stop players being released.
That argument will only be strengthened by the rise in cases and top flight managers are certain to have their say later this week in the build-up to Premier League fixtures resuming.
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