Playing on takes the Mik
FORMER Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has left Trabzonspor by mutual consent after protesting about Turkish football playing on.
While Europe’s major leagues have shutdown, the Turkish Super Lig are staging games behind closed doors.
The 2012 Champions League winner was left out by the league leaders for Sunday’s draw with Istanbul Basaksehir after complaining on social media the previous day.
“There is more to life than football,” said Mikel.
“I do not feel comfortable and don’t want to play football in this situation.
“Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. Season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times.”
■ (left),
(below) (right)
EVERTON have revealed the fitness plans they have sent to players as they cling to the hope the season can still be salvaged.
Goodison Park and the Finch Farm training ground are closed after one player displayed symptoms of coronavirus.
All staff and players have been sent home but the club’s medical department have devised a fitness plan for each member of the first-team squad.
Director of medical services Danny Donachie (left) and Francesco Mauri, the club’s head of physical conditioning, have led the programme, which sees them putting players through full training and medical routines, just as if they were still at the training ground.
“We have given them their usual gym programmes added to aerobic work they can do at home with a bike or treadmill, or in a safe outside space,” said Donachie.
“The players follow individual gym programmes during the season, so the work they are doing is a continuation of that.”
Donachie said that at this stage players do not need to do specific football work,
■ with maintenance of fitness and strength conditioning the priority.
“We have not given them any football-specific training for now and everything they are doing is as safe as possible in terms of avoiding injury,” he added.
“Motivation is never an issue and there is some novelty for the players. They are at home and in their own gyms, so that benefits us.”