Everton star Fabian Delph shares an anti-vaccine post on his Instagram, as Government push for ALL Premier League players to be jabbed by October amid fears of low take-up by top-level footballers
England and Everton footballer Fabian Delph has shared an anti-vaccine message on his Instagram account that claims the human immune system can fight Covid-19 unaided.
It comes as several Premier League and EFL clubs consider inserting vaccination clauses into player contracts as a term of employment.
Midfielder Delph, 31, who has 20 England caps, shared the message from United States-based holistic medicine website The Healing Chamber on his Instagram stories on Wednesday.
It read: ‘It’s now a ‘conspiracy theory’ to believe that the immune system is capable of doing the job it was designed to do.’
England and Everton footballer Fabian Delph shared an anti-vaccine message on Instagram
Delph shared the post by US-based holistic medicine company The Healing Chamber
Delph has not travelled with the Everton squad currently in Orlando competing in the Florida Cup after coming into a contact with someone who has since tested positive for Covid.
Everton said in a statement a few days ago: ‘Fabian Delph will not travel with the squad to the Florida Cup in Orlando as a precautionary measure after coming into contact with someone who has since tested positive for Covid-19.
‘Delph, who began his preparations for the coming season on 5 July and has played in both of the club’s practice matches – including a 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday – will resume his pre-season training as soon as his period of self-isolation is over.’
Everton beat the Colombian side Millonarios 10-9 on penalties earlier this week and round off their Florida trip by playing Mexican club Pumas UNAM on Wednesday.
Delph’s social media messages come after Sportsmail revealed several clubs in the top divisions of English football are considering making vaccine against Covid-19 a condition of employment after concerned that take-up of the jab has been low amongst players.
Midfielder Delph has been self-isolating after contact with a positive Covid-19 case and missed Everton’s pre-season trip to Florida
The Government wants all players and backroom staff in the Premier League and EFL to be fully vaccinated by October to protect live sport against future outbreaks of the virus.
As it stands, the Government appear happy for clubs to take the lead and the majority are actively encouraging players to be vaccinated. Some are even considering inserting vaccine clauses into all future contracts.
The PFA are also in favour of vaccination in principle but have a difficult balance to strike as they are also compelled to stand up for players’ individual freedoms and personal choice.
Covid test tents are already set up at Premier League clubs, such as West Ham (above)
Sportsmail has been told that there is considerable reluctance among some players to be vaccinated, particularly those in their late teens and early 20s, as many do not feel vulnerable to the virus or the potential risks.
After Birmingham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was admitted to hospital with Covid this month, manager Lee Bowyer appeared to adopt a laissez-faire approach to vaccination.
‘You can’t force anybody can you?’ he said. ‘Make somebody have the jabs? They are grown men and it is their decision. You can give your professional opinion and advice but it is up to them as individuals.’
Birmingham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was admitted to hospital after getting coronavirus
The Premier League was completed on schedule with only a handful of postponements due to Covid last season but the virus is far more prevalent in society this summer and players are more vulnerable to exposure as the clubs have stopped operating tight Covid-secure bubbles.
Arsenal and Chelsea have had to alter plans for pre-season fixtures due to positive cases and there are concerns about the possibility of major disruption when the season starts next month.
Norwich became the latest Premier League club to have their pre-season plans disrupted with the cancellation of a friendly with Coventry City.
Premier League clubs will again operate a twice-weekly testing programme but players in the EFL will generally be tested only if they show symptoms.