Government policy leak reveals huge potential problem for Sheffield Wednesday trio

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to make a speech on Sunday evening and is expected to announce a new set of coronavirus guidelines. And according to The Times, among those rules will be a 14-day isolation period for anyone entering the country from abroad.

The Star understands that Julian Börner, Joey Pelupessy and Alessio Da Cruz are isolating in mainland Europe and on their return to Sheffield would be asked to provide authorities with an address at which they would stay in complete isolation for a fortnight.

Anyone breaking the rules, the report says, would face the threat of a £1,000 fine and deportation. All other Sheffield Wednesday players are understood to be isolating in the UK.

Following Johnson’s speech, Owls boss Garry Monk will address players and staff early next week as to how the club will step up their preparations for a potential return to football.

It looks increasingly likely that Börner, Pelupessy and Da Cruz would have to sit out any imminent return to training, further setting back their return to match fitness.

The report does suggest the rules will come into action in June as the Government attempt an ‘easing back’ of the travel industry. Current rules would not allow the players to travel to Sheffield before June.

A Home Office statement said: “We do not comment on leaks. The focus remains on staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.”

Asked about the potential travel issues last week, Joey Pelupessy said: “It’s an issue for the foreigners and we’ve been in touch with the manager about it.

“If we find out training’s going to start in two weeks we need to get back there so we’re ready for the start of training.”

It remains unclear when or whether the Championship season will resume. It is understood that a growing number of Championship clubs believe the problems of finishing the season will be too challenging and want a points-per-game system, or a weighted points-per-game system with bias for home and away games, to be used.