Covid-19 could threaten the Premier League's sporting integrity, Sheffield United manager warns

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Newcastle, Wilder admitted “no one within the game would be the least bit surprised” if the fixture schedule is paused because of rising case numbers across the country.

Despite previously insisting he hopes that does not happen, even though a break in competition could potentially help his team’s top-flight survival hopes, Wilder told The Star the governing body will have a huge decision to make if positive tests begin influencing the outcome of matches.

With some teams postponing games following outbreaks of the coronavirus among their squads and others, including United, choosing to press ahead despite seeing players and staff members contract the respiratory disease, Wilder was asked what should happen if the nationwide crisis starts to impact upon either the title race or the battle avoid avoid the drop.

“That (sporting integrity) is the biggest thing, other than people’s health of course, that has to be protected,” he told The Star. “The health of the people in it is obviously number one but there also has to be an eye on the integrity.

“A level playing field is something we are all after. Obviously there’s differences in squad sizes and finances through the division. But on things we can all control, it has to be as level as possible.

“There’s been issues at the back end of seasons when clubs fielded weakened teams and measures were brought in. But to a degree, that all seems to have gone out of the window a bit with this.

“I know people aren’t able to put out weakened teams at the end of seasons now so where is the difference if people start being forced to start playing under-18’s in Premier League games? As current members of the Premier League, if something does happen, hopefully we will have an input.”

Steve Bruce, the Newcastle manager, has expressed fears it is “morally” indefensible for football to continue while other sports and businesses are closed down.

United underwent their latest mandatory screening procedure earlier this week, with one performed ahead of last month’s defeat by Burnley revealing Phil Jagielka and Billy Sharp had contracted Covid-19. A first team analyst who also tested positive later required hospital treatment.

A number of other United players were diagnosed with the virus before the start of the present campaign, which has seen Wilder’s side fail to win any of its opening 17 PL outings. However United did beat Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup last weekend.

Highlighting the scale of the disruption the pandemic is now causing within football, Wilder revealed he is drafting “two or three” different game plans and potential starting elevens to avoid being caught out if United return more positive cases.

“Basically, we are in a fingers crossed scenario,” he said. “When you lose players through the virus, you worry how hard you can push them. It affects different players in different ways.

“We had a few cases over the summer. Is there a lingering effect on them now?"

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