Wayne Rooney: We were treated like guinea pigs over the coronavirus

(ITNTV)Former Manchester United and England soccer international Wayne Rooney has joined a growing list of high-profile stars who have criticized sport's governing bodies and governments for their handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rooney used his column in Britain's Sunday Times to accuse the authorities of treating players like "guinea pigs" during the crisis.

Rooney, who is now a player-coach at second-flight Derby County after his transfer from MLS club DC United, felt that football's UK governing bodies should have acted quicker to call a temporary halt to the season.

Premier League hit by decision to postpone all English football

This weekend's program in the Premier League and English Football League was only halted on Friday after it emerged that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi had tested positive for the virus.

"Why did we wait until Friday? Why did it take Mikel Arteta to get ill for the game in England to do the right thing?" Rooney wrote in the Sunday Times.

"For players, staff and their families it has been a worrying week -- one in which you felt a lack of leadership from the government and from the FA and Premier League.

"After the emergency meeting, at last the right decision was made -- until then it almost felt like footballers in England were being treated like guinea pigs.

"I know how I feel. If any of my family get infected through me because I've had to play when it's not safe, and they get seriously ill, I'd have to think hard about ever playing again. I would never forgive the authorities."

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