Premier League ‘is hit by FOURTEEN new positive coronavirus tests at 12 pre-season training camps’

There has been a reported spike in positive coronavirus cases since Premier League players returned for pre-season training last weekend.

A total of 14 cases have been recorded at just 12 clubs, according to The Telegraph.

The figures are so far unofficial, with the Premier League only expected to begin regularly publishing test results when the season starts on September 12. 

There has been a reported spike in positive coronavirus cases since Premier League players returned to training

Clubs are fearing that cases could rise after players were pictured partying with rival stars on holiday over the past few weeks.

Some, including Jack Grealish and James Maddison, have shared pictures on Instagram of them enjoying some time off together. 

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount was also pictured hanging out with West Ham’s Declan Rice on the Greek island of Mykonos. 

Most clubs resumed training this week, with Liverpool reporting one positive case after arriving at their pre-season base in Austria. 

The number of positive cases is disproportionately high, compared with the 30 positive cases from around 35,000 tests carried out during Project Restart. Players are staff members were following strict coronavirus guidelines but have since been released by clubs to enjoy time off in the close-season.

Players are understood to be among those who have tested positive, and not all are believed to have been asymptomatic.