Premier League chiefs worry as star players won't promote the Covid vaccine

Premier League stars are refusing to take part in a publicity campaign encouraging players to get the Covid-19 vaccine in a further sign that the issue is causing unease inside dressing rooms.

Sportsmail has learned that as the vaccination rate among players has stalled in recent weeks, numerous clubs have held talks about releasing a video featuring big-name players promoting the importance of getting jabbed.

But the project has failed to get off the ground due to a lack of volunteers.

Gareth Southgate released a video on behalf of the NHS in July urging young people to get vaccinated.

The England manager said: 'If you haven't had your vaccine yet go and get it done, and you guys will get your freedom back.'

But there has been no similar message from the players despite concerns about stalling vaccination rates.

The Premier League will not disclose how many players have been vaccinated, but in the EFL the figure remains around 70 per cent of staff and players.

Both leagues have arranged briefings for club managers and captains with deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, in which he sought to debunk numerous vaccine myths, but they are struggling to find players to front a publicity campaign.

The EFL will this week step up their attempts to promote vaccination by sending information to all players in a question-and-answer format, and they are also working with lower division clubs who have smaller medical staffs to set up pop-up vaccination centres at training grounds and stadiums.

Southgate revealed last month that he had received more abuse for promoting vaccination than he did for his controversial penalty-taker selections after England lost the European Championship final to Italy in a shootout, and the players may be wary of putting themselves in a similar position.

'I was asked to do a video supporting the vaccination programme, which I thought was responsible, and of all the things that I've received abuse for over the summer — of which there have been several — that's probably the one I've received the most abuse over,' Southgate said.

'So I'm probably going to keep out of that argument for the time being.'