Bohemians say government advice was followed, after training video emerges

Bohemians have issued a statement clarifying their training practices, after a video circulated on social media that appeared to show a training session taking place in a Dublin public park. The FAI announced on 12 March that all football activities in the state were to stop, in accordance with Covid-19 measures introduced by the government. Bohemians are one of four League of Ireland clubs who are part of a pilot programme to bring about a return for the league, with other Europe-qualified clubs Derry City, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers also taking part. Under this pilot programme, all players and staff were tested on Monday 25 May, with no positive tests returned. Full training is due to resume on 8 June. https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/1264915613526433794 In a statement issued to SportsJOE this evening, Bohemians said that the small-group training has operated within the guidelines issued by the government, on six separate occasions since Phase One began on Monday 18 May; In a policy document issued by the FAI on 15 May, FAI Medical Director Dr Alan Byrne advised that clubs would not return to training when Phase One began on Monday 18 May. He also advised clubs not to open grounds, even if limited to groups of four, and "not to consider collective training or playing football until the medical evidence suggests otherwise." Bohemians say that "While we respect Dr Byrne’s advice, expertise and professionalism absolutely, the club made the collective decision to operate under the guidance of the government Roadmap and Department of Health guidelines." Groups of players were also assembled, according to the club, in accordance with the 5km travel rule that is due to stay in place until at least Monday 8 June. The video does, however, show more than a "pod" of four players. Bohemians say that there were two separate groups training in the Dublin park, and admit that was a mistake, but appropriate measures were taken. They also say that changes will be made in the future; "While it was an error to have two groups at the same venue at the same time, a distance of 20 metres was maintained between the two groups at all times. All club stakeholders involved have agreed that there will only be one group of three plus one coach per park/location until the FAI’s agreed date for the club to return to collective training on Monday June 8. "It was and remains the view of the board, the first-team management and players that exercising in a safe and socially-distant way in accordance with the Phase One guidelines was the best possible way of engaging our players, keeping their fitness levels up and enhancing their well-being in what has been a trying time for all", continued the statement.