Get our daily coronavirus email newsletter with all the news you need to know direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Players are ready to revolt over plans to stage games behind-closed-doors.

Mirror Sport understands players from all levels of the game are against games being resumed without any fans because of the coronavirus.

They have voiced major concerns to the Professional Footballers’ Association after both the Premier League and EFL raised it as a strong possibility last week.

The Premier League have even mapped out a plan to return behind closed doors as early as May 2/3 to get football underway again as they are under pressure from TV companies to fulfil their fixtures or risk losing hundreds of millions in multi-billion pound TV contracts.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Players are adamant they do not want to play behind closed doors because:

They fear for their own safety amid strict Government warnings over social distancing

It could put their own families in jeopardy if they then become infected

Extra strain would be placed on emergency services with ambulances, paramedics and security would be needed at a time when they are already being stretched to the limit

They do not want to play in empty stadiums with loyal fans being locked out

The concerns are being passed on by the PFA to football’s authorities with players adamant they are against the whole notion in principle.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "Players do have concerns and understandably so. It would not be our preferred option but everything has to be considered at the moment."

There is a realisation among the players that the leagues depend on TV cash so, as the crisis deepens and if the lay-off goes beyond the summer, they will be put under greater pressure with clubs struggling to survive.

Mirror Sport revealed last week that some clubs fear that NEXT SEASON could kick off behind closed doors as no-one knows just how long the delay will be.

However, the Premier League’s emergency summit last Thursday ended with a general acceptance that when games do restart then it will be behind closed doors.

All football has been put on hold until April 30 and the Premier League and EFL have encouraged clubs to keep players away from training grounds as part of the lockdown.

Players are also nervous about training as gyms are designated “hot spots” for spreading the virus and most clubs now have devised individual fitness plans that they can do from home.