THE Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) needs to provide financial support if clubs are to conduct weekly coronavirus testing, says Karl Robinson.
Oxford United’s head coach has called for English Football League (EFL) sides to have swabs taken every seven days, which would be another expense at a time when many are struggling.
United had mandatory tests during their Sky Bet League One play-off campaign in July and in pre-season.
Karl Robinson: I would feel uneasy if government bailed out EFL
But now clubs only have to conduct tests if a player shows symptoms, if they make a signing, or have someone returning from international duty.
If weekly testing does return, Robinson believes the union needs to put its hand in its pocket.
He said: “It becomes a massive financial outlay.
“I think the PFA need to do more, it’s their members who need the tests.
“The clubs should take care of their staff, but the PFA have got enough money to support the ongoing monitoring of Covid-19 within professional football.
“It’s their job to protect their people and I don’t see why that can’t be the case.”
United funded a test for Elliott Moore last week when the centre back fell ill, with the negative result allowing him to play against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Sam Long was also swabbed when he felt under the weather before last month’s clash with Sunderland, with the result again negative.
Robinson said: “It gave us a better opportunity to know it wouldn’t be a problem three or four days down the line.
“The club paid for that, which I think was a good gesture.”
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