Footballer Callum Robinson of the Republic of Ireland, who plays for &nbsp;West Brom in the English Premier League, has admitted he has chosen not to be vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) despite contracting the virus twice.&nbsp;

The 26-year-old striker told Irish media on Tuesday (October 5), "It's obviously annoying that I've caught it twice but I haven't been vaccinated. Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it but at this moment in time I haven't been vaccinated."&nbsp;

Robinson had first tested positive in November last year and then again in August, which forced him to miss three World Cup qualifiers last month as a close contact.&nbsp;

"I know there are managers and people that will want you to do it, which is right in their way, but everyone has their choice and what they want to do. I wouldn't force people to do it, it's your choice and your body."

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jurgen-klopp-slams-unvaccinated-players-compares-anti-vax-movement-to-drink-driving-417972">Jurgen Klopp slams unvaccinated players, compares anti-vax movement to drink driving&nbsp;</a>

A recent media report revealed that 13 of the 20 clubs in the top division have squads where fewer than 50 per cent of the players are fully vaccinated.&nbsp;

Daily Mail revealed some players are not only refusing to get vaccinated but they are spreading so-called "conspiracy theories" involving Bill Gates, infertility and the power of vitamins about the vaccines.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/a-plot-involving-bill-gates-premier-league-players-have-bizarre-conspiracy-theories-about-covid-and-vaccines-417447">'A plot involving Bill Gates': Premier League players have bizarre 'conspiracy theories' about Covid and vaccines</a>

Ireland coach Stephen Kenny said he is fully vaccinated and has encouraged his players and staff to do the same.

"I am not a medical expert but I do trust the experts and I do think it is better to be double vaccinated," Kenny said.

"But we're not in a position where we can insist on it and we have to respect individuals' rights as well. That is something that we have to learn to live with," he added.&nbsp;

Britain's coronavirus death toll is one of the world's highest at more than 137,000, but government figures show more than 82 percent of UK adults have had two vaccine doses.

More than 89 percent of over-12s in Ireland have received at least one vaccine dose.

(With inputs from agencies)

Footballer Callum Robinson of the Republic of Ireland, who plays for West Brom in the English Premier League, has admitted he has chosen not to be vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) despite contracting the virus twice.

Footballer Callum Robinson of the Republic of Ireland, who plays for West Brom in the English Premier League, has admitted he has chosen not to be vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) despite contracting the virus twice. The 26-year-old striker told Irish media on Tuesday (October 5), "It's obviously annoying that I've caught it twice but I haven't been vaccinated. Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it but at this moment in time I haven't been vaccinated." Robinson had first tested positive in November last year and then again in August, which forced him to miss three World Cup qualifiers last month as a close contact. "I know there are managers and people that will want you to do it, which is right in their way, but everyone has their choice and what they want to do. I wouldn't force people to do it, it's your choice and your body." ALSO READ | Jurgen Klopp slams unvaccinated players, compares anti-vax movement to drink driving A recent media report revealed that 13 of the 20 clubs in the top division have squads where fewer than 50 per cent of the players are fully vaccinated. Daily Mail revealed some players are not only refusing to get vaccinated but they are spreading so-called "conspiracy theories" involving Bill Gates, infertility and the power of vitamins about the vaccines. ALSO READ | 'A plot involving Bill Gates': Premier League players have bizarre 'conspiracy theories' about Covid and vaccines Ireland coach Stephen Kenny said he is fully vaccinated and has encouraged his players and staff to do the same. "I am not a medical expert but I do trust the experts and I do think it is better to be double vaccinated," Kenny said. "But we're not in a position where we can insist on it and we have to respect individuals' rights as well. That is something that we have to learn to live with," he added. Britain's coronavirus death toll is one of the world's highest at more than 137,000, but government figures show more than 82 percent of UK adults have had two vaccine doses. More than 89 percent of over-12s in Ireland have received at least one vaccine dose. (With inputs from agencies)

Ireland's footballer Callum Robinson says he hasn't had COVID-19 jab despite contracting the virus twice

UEFA began disciplinary proceedings today against Portugal, Hungary and Belgium for incidents in their Euro 2016 matches the previous day. 
 
Portugal is charged with allowing a pitch invasion, Hungary for allowing crowd disturbances and other offences and Belgium for its fans setting off fireworks and throwing objects. 
 
A fan ran on to the pitch in Portugal&#39;s 0-0 draw with Austria at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Saturday and posed for a selfie with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. 
 
In Marseille, Hungarian fans clashed with stewards in the Stade Velodrome as they tried to climb a fence to join up with another group of Hungarians before the 1-1 draw with Iceland. 
 
Hungary is also accused of allowing its fans to set off fireworks and throwing objects. 
 
The punishment in that case will be announced on Tuesday. 
 
Belgium also faces charges that its supporters threw fireworks and other objects during the 3-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in Bordeaux. 
 
UEFA said it was yet to decide a date for its disciplinary committee to meet on the cases of Belgium and Portugal. 
(AFP)

A fan ran on to the pitch after Portugal's 0-0 draw with Austria in Paris and posed for a selfie with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo

UEFA began disciplinary proceedings today against Portugal, Hungary and Belgium for incidents in their Euro 2016 matches the previous day. Portugal is charged with allowing a pitch invasion, Hungary for allowing crowd disturbances and other offences and Belgium for its fans setting off fireworks and throwing objects. A fan ran on to the pitch in Portugal's 0-0 draw with Austria at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Saturday and posed for a selfie with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. In Marseille, Hungarian fans clashed with stewards in the Stade Velodrome as they tried to climb a fence to join up with another group of Hungarians before the 1-1 draw with Iceland. Hungary is also accused of allowing its fans to set off fireworks and throwing objects. The punishment in that case will be announced on Tuesday. Belgium also faces charges that its supporters threw fireworks and other objects during the 3-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in Bordeaux. UEFA said it was yet to decide a date for its disciplinary committee to meet on the cases of Belgium and Portugal. (AFP)

UEFA opens disciplinary probes against Portugal, Hungary and Belgium

Ireland manager Martin O&#39;Neill has warned his side to be prepared for a backlash when they take on a smarting Belgium in their European Championship match in Bordeaux on Saturday. 
 
Belgium, who were at number one in the FIFA rankings for the first three months of 2016 and second since then, suffered a 2-0 loss to Italy and slipped to the bottom of Group E. 
 
In contrast, a spirited Ireland side opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Sweden. 
 
&quot;Belgium are a really fine side, really fine,&quot; O&#39;Neill told reporters in France. 
 
&quot;Individually they are as talented as any side in the competition. They are very dangerous anyway, but even more so now they are a bit of a wounded animal.&quot; 
 
&quot;They will cause us problems so we have to show the same spirit and determination again and try and play as strongly with the ball as we did the other night.&quot; 
 
&quot;I think overall they have the players (to hurt us). If they are disappointed themselves with not playing well against Italy, they will feel they can rectify it.&quot; 
 
Ireland will conclude their group stage campaign against Italy on June 22. 
(Reuters)

Belgium, who were number one in the FIFA rankings for a few months of 2016, suffered a 2-0 loss to Italy and slipped to the bottom of Group

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has warned his side to be prepared for a backlash when they take on a smarting Belgium in their European Championship match in Bordeaux on Saturday. Belgium, who were at number one in the FIFA rankings for the first three months of 2016 and second since then, suffered a 2-0 loss to Italy and slipped to the bottom of Group E. In contrast, a spirited Ireland side opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Sweden. "Belgium are a really fine side, really fine," O'Neill told reporters in France. "Individually they are as talented as any side in the competition. They are very dangerous anyway, but even more so now they are a bit of a wounded animal." "They will cause us problems so we have to show the same spirit and determination again and try and play as strongly with the ball as we did the other night." "I think overall they have the players (to hurt us). If they are disappointed themselves with not playing well against Italy, they will feel they can rectify it." Ireland will conclude their group stage campaign against Italy on June 22. (Reuters)

O'Neill warns Ireland against 'wounded animal' Belgium