PEP: DON'T PLAY THE BLAME GAME

‘We’ll be careful not to hug but Covid crisis is not the fault of footballers.. we have followed what Boris said from day one’

- JAMES NURSEY

PEP GUARDIOLA has hit back at the sport’s critics saying they should stop blaming football for the UK’s Covid situation.

The country is in its third lockdown and one which the Government has given no timescale for lifting.

Focus recently has been on football, with fresh protocols to avoid hugging when celebrating a goal.

But Manchester City manager Guardiola, whose side host Crystal Palace tomorrow, believes football is not the cause of the UK’s situation.

“We are going to do our best to follow the new rules for the Government and the scientists who inform us what we have to do,” said Guardiola. “But please, the situation that is happening in the UK is not due to football players.