England footballer Danny Rose has criticised the government's plan to bring the Premier League back as early as next month, saying: 'I don't give a f*** about the nation's morale.'
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The Tottenham defender, who has been on loan at Newcastle, said 'people's lives are at risk' and the return of football should only be considered when coronavirus cases have 'dropped massively'.
Boris Johnson has outlined plans to ease the UK's lockdown including having sporting events played behind closed doors from 1 June, which the prime minister said would offer a 'much-needed boost to the national morale'.
The Premier League's plan, dubbed 'Project Restart', is to resume games by 12 June at the earliest, and in stadiums with no fans, pending government approval.
Speaking on Lock'Don Live on Instagram, Rose said: 'Government is saying 'bring football back' because it is going to boost the nation's morale.
'I don't give a f*** about the nation's morale, bro, people's lives are at risk.
'Football shouldn't even be spoken about coming back until the numbers have dropped massively. It's b******s.'
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He added: 'Football should be the last of things that need to be sorted.'
Rose, 29, also revealed he believed he was being tested for coronavirus on Friday. Last weekend it was confirmed that a third Brighton player had tested positive for COVID-19.
Fellow England footballer Raheem Sterling has also voiced concerns about the timing of the Premier League's return, saying it should not just be for 'footballing reasons' but when it is safe for everyone in the game.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, the Manchester City star said he was 'not scared, but reserved and thinking what the worst outcome could be'.
He added: 'I've had friends whose grandma has passed away, I've had family members as well that have passed away.
'You've got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you.'
Almost three-quarters of people would not see the return of football as a boost to their morale during the pandemic, according to a YouGov poll.
In a survey of more than 2,000 people, 73% said the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) coming back would not lift their spirits.
Some 19% said they would be pleased to see football return.
The Premier League was suspended on 13 March, with Liverpool sitting 25 points clear at the top, with nine games left to play.
Top flight clubs have been warned by the Football Association that the 2019-20 season must be decided on sporting merit - ruling out the possibility of the season being declared null and void.
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Whichever way Premier League clubs vote on how to proceed, the future must include promotion and relegation, clubs were told.
This means that runaway league leaders Liverpool will almost certainly claim their first top tier title in 30 years.
Fans will be allowed back into a Premier League ground for the first time since lockdown this weekend as part of the government's latest pilot scheme.
A total of 2,500 supporters will be allowed into Brighton's Amex on a socially-distanced basis for their friendly with Chelsea on Saturday.
Fans will also be allowed to go to a friendly between Women's Super League (WSL) rivals West Ham and Arsenal at Lewes on Sunday - before Wembley aims to welcome supporters for Non-League Finals Day on 27 September.
Aside from football, the Harlequins vs Bath Premiership rugby union match at Twickenham Stoop on 5 September will also permit spectators.
Some Bob Willis Trophy and T20 Blast cricket matches are also to be included, with specific fixtures to be confirmed.
Horse racing meetings at Doncaster, Warwick and Newmarket, plus some basketball and speedway events, will take part with some fans allowed next month.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: 'I know fans and their teams can't wait to be reunited in stadia across the country, but it's imperative we take a cautious and phased approach to get fans back in safely.
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'I'm pleased that infection rates have levelled off enough to resume the pilot programme and we will continue to work intensively with sports, medical and health and safety experts towards welcoming more fans back as fast as we can.'
Sporting fixtures have been off the cards for supporters since the UK went into lockdown in March, although last weekend saw some non-league stadiums begin to welcome people back.
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At the top level, the Premier League season was able to resume behind closed doors and finish successfully over an unprecedented summer of domestic football in England, with Liverpool crowned champions.
The plan remains for spectators to be allowed back into sports venues more widely, but still in limited numbers, from 1 October as part of the road to recovery from the pandemic.
Last month, the government cancelled a previous pilot scheme after a spike in coronavirus cases.
Spectators were due to watch the first two days of two county cricket matches, some horse racing fixtures, and also the World Snooker Championship.
Some fans were allowed to watch the final of the snooker at the Crucible in Sheffield earlier this month, but it was a smaller crowd than originally planned.
The St Leger Festival at Doncaster from 9 to 12 September will be the first of three horse racing venues allowing spectators to return to the sport.
The St Leger is the final Classic of 2020 - the other four having been held behind closed doors due to COVID-19.
Warwick will welcome back crowds on 21 September, and Newmarket from 24 to 26 September.