‘With the rest of the country stuck in their houses, you’ve got to be a bit reflective about how everyone is seeing you’ – Hawks boss Paul Doswell on curbing his side’s goal celebrations

Former Pompey administrator and current EFL chief executive, Trevor Birch, this week reinforced the message for clubs still playing to carry on adhering to Covid-19 protocols put in place.

At Premier League level, teams have also been told 'handshakes, high fives and hugs must be avoided'.

It's a similar message to what Hawks boss Paul Doswell will be relaying to his squad as they prepare to return to National League South action this weekend.

The club, who host Eastbourne Borough at Westleigh Park, were only back in training this week following a second 10-day coronavirus isolation period in a matter of weeks.

Hawks have been hit hard in the pandemic with a number of players and staff contracting Covid-19 in recent weeks. Kitman Richard Pope spent time in QA Hospital, after testing positive before Christmas, but is now recovering at home.

Hawks squad have been reminded about their responsibilities.

Doswell said: ‘We’ve had sit downs with Tim Mellor (Hawks vice-chairman), who is a doctor giving us advice, his wife (Lynn, also a doctor), Stuart Munro, who is the CEO, myself - we’ve addressed the players.

‘We’ve said it’s for their safety, the players’ safety.

‘There’s no food at the ground, we’re not eating at the ground anymore, we’re not using the showers in the next couple of weeks.

‘We’re just turning up and training.

‘We got absolutely soaked at training (on Thursday) as it was pouring down for an hour-and-a-half and we’re all going home drenched in the car, but that’s where we’re at.

‘Whilst emotively, of course, if you score in the last minute I’m sure someone might jump on someone.

‘With the rest of the country stuck in their houses, you’ve got to be a bit reflective about how everyone is seeing you.'

Hawks began the first round of what will now be weekly testing on Thursday with all staff and players returning a negative result.

But they will be without Sam Magri, Theo Widdrington, Godfrey Poku and Oxford United loanee Leon Chambers-Parrilon as all four remain unavailable having contracted Covid-19.

Doswell’s comments come after the chair of the key parliamentary sports committee branded players who continue to breach protocols by hugging and kissing after goals as ‘brainless’.

Manchester City and Fulham players crowded together after scoring in their respective matches on Wednesday, in spite of reminders from the Premier League to strictly observe protocols on the avoidance of unnecessary contact amid a worsening of the pandemic.

City boss Pep Guardiola defended his players, saying: ‘Sometimes the brain is a sub-conscious one and you are just there in the moment, you are not thinking.’

But Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, fumed: ‘Some of the scenes we have seen have been brainless and give out an awful message.’

Captains and managers attended a series of virtual meetings in the week to talk through the changes to the Covid-19 protocols, but it is understood these are not in reaction to the breaches witnessed over the last two nights of Premier League action.

Clubs are expected to investigate protocol breaches themselves, with the Premier League able to come over the top if it feels not enough has been done.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has written to the clubs outlining the changes to the protocols and the need to continue to double down on following the existing ones.

‘We are fortunate to be able to continue to play and bring our competition to fans at home and around the world, ‘ he remarked. ‘This brings justified additional scrutiny and the Premier League must take the lead in setting the right example to follow.

‘The FA has written to all clubs remaining in the FA Cup on similar terms, after disappointing and concerning scenes at some third round FA Cup matches.’

Birch, meanwhile, has warned EFL clubs they were ‘under the microscope’ as never before after professional sport was given Government go-ahead to continue despite many other areas of life being placed under heavy restrictions in the third national lockdown.

‘Throughout the pandemic, football has provided a glimmer of hope for many millions of people affected by restrictions but we all understand the scrutiny the game remains under and we will come under extreme governmental pressure if we continue to flout the rules,’ he said.

‘While football is permitted to continue the actions of all participants will be clearly under the microscope, whether this be in technical areas, dugouts, or in relation to general behaviour and interaction between players on the pitch and staff off it.’