West Ham: Angelo Ogbonna slams the EPL in Coronavirus response

It became apparent that neither West Ham nor the EPL would be playing any football until at least April after the league shut down due to COVID-19 concerns.

The news finally broke last Friday morning just before this weekend’s clash of matches that would have seen West Ham take on Wolves at home. The postponement was needed but the timing of the closure was deemed irresponsible by many to include the Hammers star center back.

For many, Angelo Ogbonna has cemented his place as this year’s Hammer of the Year for West Ham with his on the pitch heroics and return to top-level form. However, his behind the scenes leadership might but what caught everyone’s attention on Saturday afternoon as he was asked about the horrific Coronavirus.

The Italian international has probably without a doubt felt the significance of this virus more than most with many of his friends and family back in Italy dealing with it harshly. Regardless of your position on the current state of this virus and the EPL closure, his comments were raw and true.

"“It was almost as if they wanted to ignore such a serious problem or almost waiting for someone to die before taking action. It’s not just football, but this problem is ingrained in the English mentality. They still don’t realize the danger of a virus that can be passed on in seconds. I haven’t been tested or checked over in any way. There is an attitude that is superficial, at the very least.”"

I for one miss watching football and getting daily updates on what is going on in the sport and for West Ham, but Ogbonna was completely right in the fact that this should have happened way before it did and it seemingly took until 2 or 3 players/coaches got it that it was finally enough.

He went on to slam the league’s arrangement to even let the Hammers play Arsenal last week with the Gooner’s previous opponent, Olympiakos, having found out that their owner had contracted the virus. After all, the last thing that is needed is for more to get sick and harm not only the integrity of the league but humanity itself.

These comments from Ogbonna remind us once more that these elite athletes we all have grown to love and adore are just as human as we are. His thoughts and emotions are all authentic and embrace the truth in this period of time for the entire world.