Egypt to begin second phase of universal health insurance in Minya    Madrid trade talks focus on TikTok as US and China seek agreement    Egypt hosts 4th African Trade Ministers' Retreat to accelerate AfCFTA implementation    Egypt's Investment Minister, World Bank discuss strengthening partnership    El Hamra Port emerges as regional energy hub attracting foreign investment: Petroleum Minister    Power of Proximity: How Egyptian University Students Fall in Love with Their Schools Via Social Media Influencers    Egypt wins Aga Khan Award for Architecture for Esna revival project    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt's gold prices hold steady on Sep. 15th    EHA launches national telemedicine platform with support from Egyptian doctors abroad    Egypt's Foreign Minister, Pakistani counterpart meet in Doha    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Emergency summit in Doha as Gaza toll rises, Israel targets Qatar    Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Lebanese Prime Minister visits Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Chelsea's Willian cautious about resuming even without fans
Published in Ahram Online on 17 - 04 - 2020

Chelsea winger Willian is relishing the Premier League resuming, with some reservations during the coronavirus pandemic.
``If we restart playing without fans but there's contact on the pitch and maybe we can spread the virus between us,'' Willian said in a video interview. ``It's not a bad idea but they have to know very carefully what's going to happen. Maybe a player can have the virus and we play against each other, you know?
``I play against someone and I get the virus then I go home after the game to stay with my family and pass the virus to my wife or daughters. So we have to be careful about that.''
It was teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi testing positive for the coronavirus on March 11 that contributed to the Premier League's decision to halt a season that is suspended indefinitely. Chelsea's last game was three days earlier against Everton.
``We shook hands and hugged each other,'' Willian said. ``So after that when he tested positive for the coronavirus I think everyone was worried about it. But none of us felt any symptoms.''
Still, Willian, along with the rest of the squad, had to go into self-isolation in his London apartment before eventually flying out to join his wife and children who had returned to Brazil.
Willian remains in Sao Paulo waiting to discover when training can resume in England. Extending the season far beyond its expected end-point in mid-May has additional complications as his Chelsea contract expires, like so many across soccer leagues, on June 30.
``I want to give everything for Chelsea until the end like I always did, until the end of my contract, until the end of the league,'' Willian said. ``I have to discuss with the club to see what we are going to do. But for me, from my side, I have no problem to play until the end of the season.''
While the Premier League has been on hold during the pandemic, players have come under pressure to accept pay cuts _ particularly to protect the jobs of non-playing staff at clubs.
Premier League clubs agreed collectively that squads should have salaries reduced by 30% as revenue streams have dried up but the players' union could not reach an agreement.
``Everyone has to help, but for me personally this shouldn't be an obligation,'' Willian said. ``Like you have to do this because you have to. ... I think you have to do if you feel you have to do. From your heart. Not an obligation that players have to do this or do that.''
Some Premier League players have collectively promoted fundraising for charities linked to the National Health Service.
``I help many people here in Brazil,'' Willian said. ``I have seen that a lot of people try to help, especially famous people around the world trying to help a lot of people around the world giving money and a lot of things.''
Britain's nationwide lockdown was extended for at least another three weeks on Thursday with officials believing the outbreak is reaching its peak. As of Thursday, 13,729 people had died in British hospitals after testing positive for the coronavirus, an increase of 861 from a day earlier.
While rising quickly, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Brazil is still relatively low in relation to the country's massive population of 211 million, which is more than three times the size of Britain. There have been almost 2,000 deaths and the peak is not expected until May.
``We see what's happening in Europe, especially in Spain, France and also England, where unfortunately there have been a lot of deaths due to COVID-19,'' Willian said. ``So I'm worried about Brazil as it's an extensive country. It's also a populous country. Hopefully people will respect the quarantine rules because we don't want to see here what's taking place in Europe.''
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's dismissive stance over the pandemic - characterizing the virus as a ``little flu'' and saying shutting down the economy would cause more damage than confining only high-risk Brazilians - has angered many health experts. Bolsonaro on Thursday fired health minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta, who had promoted broad isolation measures enacted by state governors,
``The government and its health professionals are taking proper care ,'' Willian said, not discussing politics. ``I think that was the mistake in Europe which cost many lives. When they understood the severity of the situation many people had the virus, then it was too late.
``I believe Brazil are controlling the situation and trying to take the right measures to avoid the spread of the virus. Hopefully it will work fine.''
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)


Clic here to read the story from its source.