Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose has been scathing in his criticism of plans to restart the Premier League next month.
Rose, who is currently on loan at Newcastle United, is just the latest in an ever-growing list of players to voice their concerns over being asked to play football during the coronavirus pandemic.
There has been no English top-flight action since the lockdown in Britain began in March but league officials are now attempting to put plans in place to recommence the season in mid-June.
Rose was particularly critical of the UK government after the prime minister Boris Johnson claimed that restoring some sports could "provide a much-needed boost to national morale".
"It's a f****** joke, I'm not even going to lie," said Rose on an Instagram Live Q&A.
"The government is saying bring football back because it's going to boost the nation's morale, I don't give a f*** about the nation's morale.
"People's lives are at risk, you know what I mean? Football shouldn't even be spoken about coming back until the numbers have dropped massively. It's b*******."
Danny Rose on return to football:
"The governments saying bring back football to boost the morale of the nation, I don't give a f*ck about the nations morale. Peoples lives are at risk!"
"Football shouldn't be spoken about till numbers have dropped massively. It's bollocks." pic.twitter.com/bdWBbTiZFR— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) May 11, 2020
The ability to test players and club staff for COVID-19 will be a crucially important part of any return to action and Wolves became the first Premier League club to offer it to their squad today.
Rose revealed that he will undergo testing this week.
"We'll see, I think I'm getting tested on Friday, so we'll just have to wait and see," he added.
"I listened to the announcement yesterday, no football until June 1st or something, I don't even pay attention to any of that.
"I'm sad that people are getting sick and being affected. Football should be the last of things that need to be sorted."
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, who revealed that he has lost family members to the disease, added his voice to the list of concerned players in a broadcast on his YouTube channel on Sunday night.
Sterling highlighted the fact that the players are not the only people who could be taking a risk if games were to go ahead behind closed doors.
"The moment we do go back it just needs to be a moment where it's not just for footballing reasons; it's safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff, referees," said the England international.
"I feel like once that side of the people's safety and the players' safety is secured, and their well-being is looked after, then that's the right time to go back in.
"Until then, I'm....how can I say, not scared, but reserved and thinking what the worst outcome could be.
"I've had friends whose grandmas 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."
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