Four more Premier League players, club staff test positive for coronavirus

The total positive cases after three rounds of testing now stand at 12. [Photo: Courtesy]

Four more players and club staff from the English Premier League (EPL) have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Premier League confirmed today (Wednesday) that on Monday 25 May and Tuesday 26 May 1008 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19. Of these, four tested positive from three clubs.

Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.

The league indicated that the number of tests available for clubs will be increased to 60.

“For the fourth round of testing, the number of tests available to each club will be increased from 50 to 60.

No player or club staff details will be made public after each round of testing.

“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing,” Premier League said in a statement on Wednesday.

Premier League clubs on Wednesday voted unanimously to return to contact training, including tackling, as the English top flight moved a step closer to a resumption after the shutdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact.

"The Premier League's priority is the health and wellbeing of all participants,” a Premier League statement read.

Clubs last week began the first phase of 'Project Restart' after agreeing to a return to training in small groups under strict limitations and no contact.