Within the English football leagues, the Premier League has suffered the most as a result of the new variant – Omicron. A total of 18 games were postponed from 12^th December 2021 to 2^nd January 2022. Players, managers, and backroom staff being affected at various points meant either there was an outbreak at the club or not enough players to field a squad for the match.

When the festive period comes around, it tends to come with one of the most exhaustive and physically demanding fixture lists, with a game every other day for clubs. This effects clubs around the table and not only the top clubs. Although the clubs in the top half tend to complain more.

The Premier League met on 20^th December 2021 to decide whether the fixtures of two game weeks should be postponed or what the best way forward for everyone was. Unsurprisingly, everyone agreed that the show must go on. 

This came down to several factors. The first is that, players already endured a long season -ever since the restart in 2020. Additionally, it’s the World Cup year. As it is taking place in Qatar, there will be a break in Winter 2022 to allow players to take part. Another factor is that the Premier League is inflexible. In the past, the top six clubs have competed in nearly all competitions available to them domestically and in Europe. At times when clubs have asked their matches to be postponed, the League has refused.

Get vaccinated

The message by the UK government has been clearer than any other country in the world. Get vaccinated. And now, get boosted. 

The latest data from 7^th January 2022 sets out that 134.8 million vaccinations have been administered. Currently, 51.9 million people have had their first vaccination and 47.6 million double dosed. A further 35.2 million boosted.

The Premier League has encouraged everyone to get vaccinated. However, in the most recent report published by the Premier League, it states that 92% of players have either received their first, second or third jab. This is quite a vague statistic. In many reported news outlets, it has also been revealed that only 77% of players are double vaccinated. In addition to this statistic, 16% of Premier League players have not received any jabs; the lowest across the top 5 Leagues.

Compare this to other top leagues and they can boast about their vaccination numbers, as majority of their players have been double vaccinated. It has been reported, (Italy) Serie A has 98% of its players double vaccinated, (France) Ligue 1 has 95%, (Germany) Bundesliga has 92% and (Spain) LaLiga has 92%. 

As a result of this, other leagues have not seen disruptions like the Premier League has. In fact, Germany has taken one step further and banned fans in the stadium. 

Therefore, we can only denote from this limited information that the Premier League has brought this disruption on itself. It could be argued that taking a vaccination is a personal medical right and choice. From this, it can be inferred that the players’ confidence in the vaccine must be low. Therefore, a greater conversation around Covid vaccine efficacy should be taking place with them.

Future of Covid in Football

Undoubtedly, Covid is here to stay. There is no time frame placed nor an end date in sight. It is something we will have to live with. 

Interestingly, Jurgen Klopp is very pro-vaccine and has taken a strong approach. He stated that “I will not sign any unnvaxxed players for Liverpool – they are a threat to all of us”. This was in relation to future transfers. 

It remains to be seen how willing he is in implementing this policy. For a top European club, such a policy is needed. Having to travel around Europe where different travelling rules apply is something that has an impact on the whole squad. 

The football transfer window will need to adapt to the situation. Some of the prevention strategies that they need to keep in mind are reducing the amount of transfer domestically and internationally, keeping players at the club in case of another outbreak and relying on youth players to cover and step up. 

It is quite clear that the Premier League needs to encourage players to get vaccinated, otherwise, the negative consequences will be felt.

On 2^nd January, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown once again made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He ran off the field and left MetLife stadium during the third quarter against the New York Jets. Brown, who appeared frustrated on the bench, refused to re-enter the game when twice asked by head coach Bruce Arians. Upon his refusal, Arians told the wide receiver to “get out”. Despite teammates Mike Evans and O.J Howard trying to calm Brown down, he stripped off his uniform and equipment and proceeded to run off the field shirtless while waving and throwing his undershirt and gloves into the crowd. 

When Brown abruptly exited the game, the Bucs were trailing the Jets 24-10, and despite an amazing comeback and heroic game winning touchdown pass by Tom Brady, the biggest takeaway from the game was the wide receiver’s future with the team. After the game, when Arians was asked about Brown, he made it clear that “he [Brown] is no longer a Buc”. 

As it currently stands, it appears that Brown has played his last game as a Buccaneer, but former teammate Ryan Clark stated on ESPN’s Get Up that Brown has most likely played his last game in the NFL. Clack mentioned how “no one wants a wholly inconsistent person on their team. I believe he played his last snap”. However, arriving at this point should not come as a surprise since Brown has had an extended history of misconduct both on and off the field. To better illustrate the magnitude of Brown’s fall from stardom, we must look at his career prior to all his troubles. 

Brown was selected in the 6^th round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Between 2013 and 2018, he was arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and his statistics were beyond impressive. 

• 2013: 110 receptions, 1,499 yards, 8 touchdowns
• 2014: 129 receptions, 1,698 yards, 13 touchdowns
• 2015: 136 receptions, 1,834 yards, 10 touchdowns
• 2016: 106 receptions, 1,284 yards, 12 touchdowns
• 2017: 101 receptions, 1,533 yards, 9 touchdowns
• 2018: 104 receptions, 1,297 yards, 15 touchdowns

During his nine seasons with the Steelers, Brown’s contest to catch footballs, speed and work ethic propelled him to seven Pro-Bowl selections, four All-Pro selections and he was named to the Hall of Fame All 2010s Team. He had cemented himself as not only one of the greatest receivers of his generation, but of all time. 

Yet his seemingly cemented legacy began to crack in 2018. Here is a recap of how Brown contributed to his downfall. 

31^st Dec. 2018: Due to an altercation with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Brown skipped practices, a walkthrough and a team meeting. In addition, during the half-time break versus the Cincinnati Bengals, Brown left the game. He would never play for the Steelers again.

10^th March 2019: The Steelers trade Brown to the then Oakland Raiders and he signs a three-year deal.

12^th Aug. 2019: Brown steps away from the Raiders a week prior because his desired helmet is no longer in accordance with league protocols. After having his request to use the helmet denied, Brown decides to return to the team. 

4^th Sept. 2019: After the Raiders fine Brown for repeated unexcused absences, he goes on social media to vent his frustration and verbally assaults general manager Mike Mayock.  

7^th Sept. 2019: The Raiders cut Brown. The following day he signs a one-year, $15 million deal with the New England Patriots. 

10^th Sept. 2019: Britney Taylor, Brown’s former trainer, files a federal lawsuit against Brown accusing him of multiple sexual assaults in 2017 and rape in 2018. 

19^th Sept. 2019: The Patriots cut Brown. 22^nd 

22^nd Jan. 2020: Following an incident with a moving truck driver in Florida, Brown is charged with a felony offence of burglary and battery. 

12^th June 2020: After pleading no contest to the charges, Brown receives two years of probation.

31^st July 2020: The NFL suspends Brown for eight games due to multiple violations of the league’s conduct policy. 

27^th Oct. 2020: The Buccaneers sign Brown to a one-year deal. His contributions helped the team win Super Bowl 55 that same year. 

28^th April 2021: Brown re-signs with the Buccaneers for one-year. 

2^nd Dec. 2021: Brown receives a three-game suspension for misrepresenting his vaccination status to the NFL by obtaining a fake vaccination card; a federal offence. However, the Bucs allow Brown to return to the team. 

2^nd Jan. 2022: During a game against the Jets, Brown runs out of the stadium due to an altercation with teammates and coaches. 

As it currently stands, the Bucs have yet to officially cut Brown. However, his career is certainly in jeopardy and seems unlikely any other team would be willing to give Brown another opportunity. The unfortunate aspect is that Brown, at 33 years old, can still play and be an impactful player, but his constant misconduct has held him back ever since 2018. It yet to be seen whether the Bucs bring him back or if another team acquires his services with the hope of containing his unpredictable nature. But the best thing for Brown would be to leave the NFL and seek the psychological aid he requires since life is more than just about football. 

Athletes, politicians, and human rights violations – the Boycott brings these to the spotlight.

The Beijing Winter Olympics, set to start in February of 2022, have encountered some opposition. The United States, Australia, Great Britain, Lithuania and Canada, have denounced the games in Beijing and have joined arms in a diplomatic boycott, refusing to send official delegates to the games. 

While no officials will represent the countries at the games, athletes will still compete in hopes of bringing home Olympic glory, unless they choose otherwise. The diplomatic boycott allows athletes to compete in games, while simultaneously allowing the government to raise concern and call to attention the human rights abuses occurring in China on an international level.

President Joe Biden’s administration announced the boycott earlier this month (6^th December) over rising concerns about the “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses”, cited White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. 

The alleged human rights violations refer to the attacks on freedom in Hong Kong and the treatment of the Uyghur Muslim population in Western Xinjiang and other minority and ethnic groups, with reports of forced labour, mass detention and forced sterilization, which amounts to ‘genocide’ as an unofficial UK tribunal found earlier this week. 

This adds to the list of China’s violations, particularly in the wake of international concern over Chinese athlete Peng Shui’s wellbeing after she accused a Chinese official of sexual assault, and subsequently disappeared for months. 

China voiced its disapproval of the boycott stating that, “The US should stop politicising sports, and stop disrupting and undermining the Beijing Winter Olympics,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated. He further raised concern over the effect of the boycott on “bilateral dialogue and cooperation” between the economic powerhouses. 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated that it respects the United States decision to diplomatically boycott the games but would remain politically neutral on the matter. The IOC’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ has garnered itself immense backlash from various Human rights organisations, stating that the IOC should take a more proactive stance against China’s string of humans rights violations. 

The US has seen support from Great Britain, Canada, and Australia, all of whom announced they too would be boycotting the Beijing games following the Unites States announcement. “There will be effectively a diplomatic boycott,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on the 8^th of December, along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Tredeau, who reminded the public that “We have been very clear over the past many years of our deep concerns around human rights violations.”.

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison stated the decision came after deliberation regarding Australia’s Interests in ‘uncertain times’ stating, “I’m doing it because it’s in Australia’s national interest. It’s the right thing to do. Full stop.” The Australian Olympic committee (AOC) acknowledged the Australian Government’s decision to join The US in a boycott of the games, with chief executive Matt Caroll stating, that while he “respected the government’s decision,” the AOC would remain “politically neutral,” and focus on the athletes and the team.

New Zealand has not officially boycotted the games and had already announced earlier this year that they would not be sending any officials, citing “a range of factors but mostly[…]Covid” concerns. 

More countries are expected to join the boycott in the lead up to the games.