Observations of mass infections in teams competing in the Premier League over the past month have led to serious complications. Due to the infection, the 12th round was postponed, there was a two-week break in the championship, as a result of which the rounds were "slipped". Thankfully, the current situation is much better than before.

However, this does not mean that our football is completely free from danger. As you know, the teams will take a break after the matches of the 13th round, which will take place on December 24. If local footballers stay in the country, foreigners will go home to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their loved ones. Many will celebrate the holidays in restaurants, while those who are afraid of the virus will gather their relatives and call them at home. Traveling by plane with a large crowd is another problem. 

In this case, foreigners are much more likely to become infected. If the test results are positive, they will be quarantined in their countries for some time. The fact that healthy returnees are carriers of the virus can be revealed later. Because COVID-19 shows its effect after some time. In short, another tragedy awaits our football.

What can be done about it?

There is only one way out. To keep the foreigners here with gratitude and to isolate them from the environment. But this is not an easy task. Because according to the terms of the contract, the players have the right to go home twice a year. On the other hand, separating them from their relatives can lead to very serious complications - psychological trauma, apathy. That is, it is not as easy as it seems from the outside.

I wonder what the head coaches think about it? How concerned are we with the issue we are touching? We contacted some, but not all, members of the elite.

Samir Abasov, Neftchi :  “Obviously, we have thought about it a lot, we have had discussions. Of course, it is a very important issue. Of course, as a head coach, I am also worried. There are things that look different on the outside, completely different on the inside. We have players who have not seen their families and loved ones all year round. Saman Narimanjahan and Voislav Stankovic are among them. Forcing them and others here is not the way out. The consequences of forcibly detaining legionnaires in Baku could be more dangerous than contracting the coronavirus. A coronavirus patient recovers in 1-2 weeks, but when a football player has a psychological shock or is reluctant to work, it is impossible to cure him for months. I have been a footballer myself, I understand them. So let them go and rest, and let their tiredness go. With God's help, nothing serious will happen. "

Elmar Bakhshiyev, Gabala: “Of course, it is an issue that concerns each of us. There is little time to prepare, and in such a situation, the infection of foreigners with the coronavirus can complicate our work. However, we approach the issue from a different perspective. He is a footballer, suffers for months in training and games, lives far away from his relatives in another country. Therefore, it is their right to be with their families 1-2 times a year. The effect of taking this fee away from them will be worse than possible coronavirus infection. Footballer, doctor, teacher, journalist - no matter what field you work in, the psychological factor is very important for a person. If the psychological state is not in place, something is not worth waiting for. They can also be infected by staying here. Just like before the match with "Sumgayit", eight players were infected with the virus.

There is no problem. Let them go and rest. God forbid, if we lose legionnaires, we will benefit from the services of young people. We have no choice but to reconcile with the current situation. "

Aftandil Hajiyev, Sabail : You have touched upon a very sensitive issue. Of course, this issue also worries us. When you return here, you will be infected with the virus, and when you take a test to return to Azerbaijan, the result will not be satisfactory, and therefore someone will stay in the country for two weeks. This will inevitably affect the course of the meeting.

But we have footballers who have not visited their countries this year and have not seen their relatives for a long time. Therefore, most likely, we have given foreigners a 10-day permit. Supposedly something will be fixed by keeping them here? No. On the contrary, it will lead to more serious complications. All local footballers are with their loved ones, and legionnaires are away from their relatives on holidays. In this case, what do you demand from that player in training and game? What will happen to his training and football?

Every day the situation changes, new decisions are made. Let's see what will happen. "