The mayor of London wrote to all Premier Leagues and Championship clubs in the capital appealing them to provide assistance to the NHS in the fight against coronavirus. Sadiq Khan wrote,
“I do not take such requests lightly and I appreciate this is a big ask in what is a challenging and uncertain time for many of London’s football clubs. However, I am clear that we all need to unite and do what we can to support the NHS and protect the lives of Londoners.”
Khan has asked clubs to provide help in three key areas – access to medical staff, access to stadium facilities and accommodation for NHS workers living away from their families as well as for health and care workers who need easy access to field hospitals
The letter was sent to 10 clubs in the top two tiers of English football including Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Fulham, Charlton Athletic, QPR, Brentford and Millwall. An 11th, Tottenham, had already begun transferring medical staff to work alongside NHS staff. Watford did not receive the request as they fall outside the Greater London region.
There is understood to be no target put against the number of medical volunteers, and Khan has asked for support from “team doctors, physios, paramedics and other clinically trained staff” who could be retrained to work either on the front line or in support roles.
