Liverpool great Jamie Carragher has revealed his wife Nicola has tested positive for coronavirus and is now second person in his family to contract the illness.
Carragher also explained that his aunt had been receiving treatment in hospital last week for the same reason, but is now recovering well.
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Carragher made this known in his latest column for The Telegraph, where he was discussing a prospective return date for football in the UK.
“Like everyone else, I believe football’s return must be conditional.
“Nobody needs to tell me that the health of those closest to us matters most. My wife, Nicola, has tested positive for Covid-19. My aunt was in hospital with Covid-19 last week and is recovering.
“So while I am eager for the games to return, it goes without saying that nobody wants decisions taken for the wrong reasons, at the wrong time, contrary to government and scientific advice.”
Carragher went on to explain that while health and safety must be the primary concern for decision-makers at the top of the game, sporting integrity must be the next most important factor taken into consideration.
A number of football figures are sceptical about resuming the current season, including West Ham vice chairman Karren Brady, who previously called for the campaign to be voided.
Such a measure would prove beneficial to West Ham, who find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle.
Carragher’s former club Liverpool would also miss out on the Premier League title despite being 25 points ahead and just two wins from being crowned champions.
UEFA announced this week they are keen to reward team’s performances over the season based on ‘sporting merit’ and urged the top European leagues to ‘explore all options’ before the possibility of voiding the season comes into play.
Carragher welcomed the announcement, and has now called on the Premier League and Football League to follow suit.
He also argued that coronavirus will not be gone by August, so suggestions the current season should end now to protect the next one are irrelevant.
The German Bundesliga is targeting a return to action on May 9, which could set the example for other leagues across Europe to follow.
He added: “We may never get a fully satisfying conclusion to this season, but there is no reason why we cannot get a fair one.”
