Jab scammers target top-flight stars

PREMIER League footballers are being targeted by individuals offering fake vaccination certificates. Sportsmail understands a number of players have raised concerns with their club medical staff about the scam. Stars have been told they can have two certificates sent to their phones for £1,000, to show when necessary. It is not known whether any players who are still to be vaccinated have taken up the offer. Insiders at a number of clubs said their players had made staff aware of the situation. The Premier League say they are unaware of the scam but four clubs have confirmed its existence to Sportsmail. Last week, the Premier League announced that 68 per cent of their players had been fully vaccinated against Covid while 81 per cent had received at least one jab. But it is understood that rates fluctuate significantly between clubs. Some have the vast majority of their squads double-jabbed while others fall well short. Rumours and scaremongering have caused problems in dressing rooms, with players sharing stories they have seen on social media. Other sports have seen a much higher uptake of the vaccination.

Sportsmail revealed last month that only seven clubs’ squads were more than 50 per cent fully-vaccinated, with the Premier League pointing out in a note to clubs that ‘we have a way to go’. Such was the gravity of the issue, the top flight also informed clubs of plans to ‘reward’ those with the highest number of vaccinated players. With such scepticism remaining in certain dressing rooms, it appears fraudsters are now looking to cash in with their scam.