West Ham United made a shock return to training on Wednesday, contrary to reports from Sky Sports.
West Ham were in the thick of an intense relegation battle before the COVID-19 pandemic shut football down last week.
A return date of April 4th was originally set. But it is now widely accepted that will be extended further in light of the government’s latest advice.
Debate has raged about how the season should be concluded as a result.
Brady puts West Ham at centre of coronavirus conversation
West Ham have found themselves at the centre of that particular argument after vice-chairman Karren Brady told The Sun the season should be “null and void”.
The Hammers CEO was accused of opportunism and self-interest at such a worrying time for all of us.
She invited ridicule for airing her views, even if a large number of football fans agreed with her.
Some supporters felt – like most other representatives of Premier League clubs – Brady should have kept her counsel.
Instead they feel she has dragged West Ham’s name through the mud.
Hammers make surprise training return
West Ham’s players have been training at home since the enforced break.
Hammer star Tomas Soucek was pictured out running on his own, see full story here.
And speaking on the club’s official website on Tuesday David Moyes broke his silence after his own self-isolation following close contact with confirmed sufferer Mikel Arteta.
Moyes revealed the squad had been given individual training regimes.
And he said they would look to return to training soon.
Sky Sports claimed yesterday that West Ham’s first team squad would return to training next Monday.
‘No contact, under careful supervision’
But contrary to the Sky Sports report, West Ham were back at Rush Green today.
In an announcement on whufc.com the club revealed ‘carefully constructed’ non contact sessions took place.
“Following the FA and Premier League’s decision last Friday to suspend all elite professional football until 3 April at the earliest due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the club’s medical staff – led by head of medical Richard Collinge – have remained in constant contact with all players to support their physical and mental wellbeing,” West Ham said in a statement.
“Under careful supervision, the squad will report and take to the Rush Green pitches only today for a non-contact drills-based session in an open-air environment. All players reporting are fit and well, but extra precautions will be taken to remove any risks to health, including no showers or food eaten on site.
“All players are following their regular guidelines around diet and nutrition, with personal meal plans provided to keep them on track, while a skeleton staff is in place so that all team operations continue to function as normal.”
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