Chelsea head coach, Thomas Tuchel has called on football clubs to become better role models in the fight against climate change.
This is as the English Premier League side look set to play in 33C heat in the upcoming London derby against Tottenham.
According to reports, the second weekend of the new Premier League season will see water breaks introduced during another heatwave across the country, just weeks after records were broken as temperatures hit over 40C for the first time.
Currently, the Met Office estimates that heatwaves are 10 times more likely because of climate change and Tuchel is aware that football must face up to the growing trend.
In his reaction, Tuchel said, โWe can be huge role models in it because we have this recognition and range that people follow us,โ. โWe can be role modelsโ.
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Speaking further, he said, โAnd while I’m saying this I’m drinking out of a plastic bottle, which is simply not good! We need to be on it. Because we are not alone. We are role models, and we must adaptโ.
The Chelsea boss further said, โWe know for many years that it’s coming. People tell us it’s coming. Still, I find myself not thinking about it and suddenly you need a reminder, like so often unfortunately in life, which is not nice.
He explained that while the sun gets hotter and hotter. rain gets less and less and water more and more precious, adding that It is scary and not nice.
โYou also find yourself forgetting because it’s not had a huge effect, because you’re lucky enough to live in a climate zone where it’s not the biggest effect nowโ. โBut, of course, the forests are burning and water gets less and less and it has an effect on daily life and, of course, football because this is a part of daily life.โ
Story was adapted from Evening Standard.
