MASON MOUNT has revealed missing part of England’s Euro 2020 run while having to self-isolate was a factor in his decision to get vaccinated against coronavirus.
The Three Lions face Hungary in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Tuesday during the seventh international get-together since Covid-19 changed the landscape.
This camp came amid fresh scrutiny about vaccination rates within football.
The uptake of the vaccine among professional footballers has been sporadic, with England boss Gareth Southgate admitting he is unsure how many of his current squad have received both doses.
Most players have also opted against making their vaccination status public but Mount has revealed he has had his two jabs.
The 22-year-old Chelsea midfielder missed the victory over the Czech Republic in England’s final group game of Euro 2020 and then was subsequently an unused substitute in the win over Germany after spending time with club-mate Billy Gilmour, who later tested positive for Covid following the 0-0 draw with Scotland.
“I’m double vaccinated now,” Mount said.
“Going through that experience, missing the game, a top, top game kind of did have an effect on my decision.
“But I think for players and personally-wise it’s down to someone and it is down to their decision how they feel about it.
“I don’t think you can force anyone to get it but, for me, going through that experience it did make me want to get it and get it quite quickly.”
Last week, Southgate suggested “conspiracy theories” could be preventing players from getting jabbed.
“At their age they are more open to some of these conspiracy theories because they are reading social media more,” he said.
“They are perhaps more vulnerable to those sort of views. From what I can see there is a bit of confusion around.
“There’s a thing called medical confidentiality which seems to be being totally overlooked in a lot of areas at the moment.
“These aren’t our players. I don’t think the clubs would thank us for sharing that sort of information and frankly, it is personal to the players. I’m sure you have GDPR at your workplace, you’ll be conscious of all of that.”
Jesse Lingard, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier and Ollie Watkins all declined to reveal their vaccination status during England media duties ahead of the 5-0 win in Andorra on Saturday – but Roma striker Tammy Abraham did announce he is fully vaccinated.
If u don’t care don’t vote
God some people are just too cool! If only I had thought of coming up with such a cool opening line! But evidently it’s off to school for me for not being cool enough!
I can’t believe it’s almost 50/50 here. What business do the managers have in dictating who should be commentating on games?
And in even bringing up the issue like this so publicly, they’ve effectively made it so RTE cannot back down on this, where some private words may have had some influence.
The self righteousness of the GAA community can be exasperating sometimes.
Amazing that it is almost 50/50! Considering most of the “commenters” seem to be supporting RTE’s stance.
Any chance of a “I don’t care option on the poll”
Then just don’t bother with it surely.
I didn’t
Who runs RTE, the GAA ?. Stick to the football lads, it’s what you do best, most of the time.
Ya managers should be spending more time worrying about on the field antics rather than off the field. Are these the same guys who complain about players rising up and going on strike and players tweeting? Surely this is the same kind of antics under different circumstances!
Why is an RTE IR issue anything but the business of RTE itself?
The GAA managers can comment on an individual basis if they like, but it’s nothing to do with them.
This meddling, on a wider scale, is the same mindset that led to the church trying to run the country, and the GAA in a former incarnation, trying to do likewise.
If it were a group of, say, politicians refusing to engage with a political commentator, there would be uproar.
Mind you, FF tried that before the last election, but that’s not exactly a surprise.
The GAA managers shpuld mind their own business and do what they are hired to do and getting weel paid for it……sshh dont tell anyone that last bit!! lol
I’m agreeing with the managers but only because I can’t stand canning or morrisey commentating. It’s a very odd situation though.
I’m with RTE for the reverse. :-)
He’s a dreadful commentator who emphasises all of the prepositions in his delivery. *In* Croke Park, *on* the halfway line etc. Couple his high pitched whine with his stock phrases of ‘a man called…’ and ‘none other than…’ and it’s enough to have me chewing the steering wheel!
Heaven forbid you’d want to know the score in a game either. I’ve often writhed through five or ten minutes of his ramblings just to get a score check.
Can’t abide his commentary. It’s an I’ll wind…
I’ve heard he’s being lined up for the Olympic Games as one of the lead commentators next year. Now if thats a snub then I take it any time. These guys should stick to the field and leave external politics out of it.
What did Carthy do to put RTE of side anyway.
Just a shite commentator. Should get ANY matches at any level. Pure drivel.
The managers should mind their own business.
I’m with Gus. His RISING pitch drives me loopy.
I don’t care!
There should be a neither of the above option. Carthy shouldn’t be lead commentator but the managers have a point in being annoyed at the way RTÉ prioritise – or don’t prioritise – GAA games. That’s the fundamental point.
See if I care….
I wonder how would the GAA Managers feel if RTE got onto the President of the GAA and said “We’re not covering any of your matches until so and so is appointed Manager of X county. talk about nonsense.
can’t have the manager’s telling us licence payer’s ,who to employ like the old day’s of the church telling us what to watch, seen that mickey harte is from tyrone does he even have a tv licence for rte.
Should be a Neither option on this Poll. Its Pointless!! RTE is and alway will be a Click anyhow!! Mind you Andy Gray and Richard Keyes are doin nothing at the moment. might spice up the camogie final!!!! Just joking!!!!!