Footballers in England were being treated like guinea pigs: Rooney
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney says the government and football authorities have treated footballers as "guinea pigs" during the coronavirus outbreak. Top football leagues in Britain remain until at least April 3, with the Premier League saying "conditions at the time" will determine its return. Rooney lashed out at the authorities for being indecisive.
Rooney criticizes authorities for waiting
"The rest of sport - tennis, Formula 1, rugby, golf, football in other countries - was closing down and we were being told to carry on," stated Rooney. "I think a lot of footballers were wondering, 'Is it something to do with money being involved in this?'. Why did we wait until Friday?" He also felt the authorities waited until people got ill.
Rooney feels government lacked leadership
Writing in his column in the Times, the former England captain claimed, "For players, staff and their families it has been a worrying week. One in which you felt a lack of leadership from the government and from the FA and Premier League."
Rooney would never have forgiven the authorities
Rooney lamented if any of his family members would have got affected because of him playing, he wouldn't have forgiven the authorities. "I know how I feel. If any of my family get infected through me because I've had to play when it's not safe, and they get seriously ill, I'd have to think hard about ever playing again. I wouldn't forgive the authorities."
'Footballers were treated like guinea pigs'
"After the emergency meeting, at last the right decision was made - until then it almost felt like footballers in England were being treated like guinea pigs," claimed the Derby player.
