Pre-match handshakes is one of the most important gesture in sportsmanship but the fear over the spread of coronavirus more than 90,000 cases of the virus in 87 countries means no handshakes in Premier League at the moment.<\/p>\n
Pre-match handshakes between both teams and officials will not take place until further notice as a precautions measure after UK government asked the league\u00a0“to step up its contingency planning”.<\/p>\n
The teams will still line up as usual but the home team will walk past the away side without shaking hands.<\/p>\n
“The Premier League fair-play handshake will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice.<\/p>\n
“Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake,” Premier League said in a statement.<\/p>\n
In light of the situation, Liverpool took precautions not to have mascots at Anfield.<\/p>\n
They have also cancelled staff travelling to any high-risk countries and “reminded everyone of good hygiene practices”.<\/p>\n
The club also said there will be “hand sanitisers and antibacterial handwash in all the washrooms at Anfield” as well as hygiene information posters.<\/p>\n
Newcastle\u00a0had stopped their morning handshake\u00a0while West Ham players would be fist bumping instead of shaking hands.<\/p>\n
Southampton also banned\u00a0players from signing autographs\u00a0or taking selfies with fans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"