Amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, the traditional handshakes between players and officials at the start of Premier League games have been temporarily banned.
Based on medical advice, the Premier League confirmed that the gesture will not take place ‘until further notice’.
The full Premier League statement reads: “For health reasons, there will be no shaking of hands between players ahead of Premier League matches.
“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.
“Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake.
“Clubs and match officials will still perform the rest of the traditional walk-out protocol ahead of each fixture.
“On entering the field of play, the two teams will continue to line up, accompanied by the Premier League music, then players from the home team will walk past their opposition without shaking their hands.”
This directive comes on the heels of Danish star Thomas Kahlenberg, aged 36, testing positive for coronavirus. Kahlenberg had notably excelled in the 2010 World Cup.