England footballer Danny Rose has criticised the government's plan to bring the Premier League back as early as next month, saying: 'I don't give a f*** about the nation's morale.'
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The Tottenham defender, who has been on loan at Newcastle, said 'people's lives are at risk' and the return of football should only be considered when coronavirus cases have 'dropped massively'.
Boris Johnson has outlined plans to ease the UK's lockdown including having sporting events played behind closed doors from 1 June, which the prime minister said would offer a 'much-needed boost to the national morale'.
The Premier League's plan, dubbed 'Project Restart', is to resume games by 12 June at the earliest, and in stadiums with no fans, pending government approval.
Speaking on Lock'Don Live on Instagram, Rose said: 'Government is saying 'bring football back' because it is going to boost the nation's morale.
'I don't give a f*** about the nation's morale, bro, people's lives are at risk.
'Football shouldn't even be spoken about coming back until the numbers have dropped massively. It's b******s.'
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He added: 'Football should be the last of things that need to be sorted.'
Rose, 29, also revealed he believed he was being tested for coronavirus on Friday. Last weekend it was confirmed that a third Brighton player had tested positive for COVID-19.
Fellow England footballer Raheem Sterling has also voiced concerns about the timing of the Premier League's return, saying it should not just be for 'footballing reasons' but when it is safe for everyone in the game.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, the Manchester City star said he was 'not scared, but reserved and thinking what the worst outcome could be'.
He added: 'I've had friends whose grandma has passed away, I've had family members as well that have passed away.
'You've got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you.'
Almost three-quarters of people would not see the return of football as a boost to their morale during the pandemic, according to a YouGov poll.
In a survey of more than 2,000 people, 73% said the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) coming back would not lift their spirits.
Some 19% said they would be pleased to see football return.
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The Premier League was suspended on 13 March, with Liverpool sitting 25 points clear at the top, with nine games left to play.
Top flight clubs have been warned by the Football Association that the 2019-20 season must be decided on sporting merit - ruling out the possibility of the season being declared null and void.
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Whichever way Premier League clubs vote on how to proceed, the future must include promotion and relegation, clubs were told.
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This means that runaway league leaders Liverpool will almost certainly claim their first top tier title in 30 years.