Troy Deeney has revealed some of the sickening abuse he received from trolls following his criticism of the Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’.
The Watford captain says people wished coronavirus on his five-year-old son Clay, who has breathing difficulties.
Troy Deeney is incredibly skeptical about the Premier League’s Project Restart
While other Premier League stars returned to training last week, Deeney spoke publicly about his scepticism over the resumption of football and decided to stay at home to protect his family.
Watford have since become the club worst-affected by COVID-19, with Adrian Mariappa and two members of staff testing positive, while other players are in self-isolation as a precaution.
Deeney told CNN Sport: I saw some comments in regards to my son, people saying I hope your son gets corona.
Thats the hard part for me. If you respond to that, people then go, Ah, weve got him and they keep doing it.
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“Its all about mental health and everyone says speak up, speak out, please speak…
“Danny Rose spoke out and I did and we just get absolutely hammered and battered for it.
Its not just us that gets it, the missus gets direct messages and youll be walking down the street and people will be like: Oh, Im at work, you go back to work.
Top-flight players returned to training last week
Despite his reservations, Deeney has now made himself available for Watford following positive talks with the Governments deputy chief medical officer Jonathan van Tam.
It comes after Premier League clubs voted unanimously for a return to contact training this week, as they prepare to resume the season in June.
Im the captain of a Premier League football team. Im not doing my job if Im sitting back at home,” Deeney added.
Anyone that knows me knows Im never scared of a challenge.