Premier League Halt Pre-Match Handshakes Over Coronavirus Fears
The customary pre-match handshakes observed before Premier League games have been halted for the time being due to the continuous spread of the Coronavirus.
Already some Premier League clubs have put in place measures to ensure safety of their players and officials with the likes of West Ham United and Newcastle banning handshakes at training grounds.
A statement from the Premier League said: "The Premier League fair-play handshake will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice.
"Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake."
"Clubs and match officials will still perform the rest of the traditional walk-out protocol ahead of each fixture.
"On entering the field of play, the two teams will continue to line up, accompanied by the Premier League music, then players from the home team will walk past their opposition without shaking their hands."
The Coronavirus has gradually spread across different parts of Europe with Italy the hardest-hit country in the region.
Globally, more than 90,00 cases have been recorded and the footballing calendar in Italy has been disrupted as a result.
All Serie A games in the month of March will be played behind-closed-doors after some matches in the last two weekends, as well as both Coppa Italia semi-finals were postponed because of fears of the spread of the virus.
