Robinson had a great start to the season at West Brom
Callum Robinson, an international from Republic of Ireland, has admitted that he chose not to get vaccinated against Covid-19 despite having been infected twice.
26-year-old West Bromwich Albion striker had missed several games before he tested positive for HIV in November 2020 and again in August.
"I haven’t been vaccinated. Robinson said that it was his choice.
It's annoying that I've had it twice, but I haven’t been vaccinated. "I could decide to do it later on, but I don't know if that will happen."
Robinson spoke days after Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool boss, expressed frustration at Premier League players not having the vaccine.
Stephen Kenny, Republic manager, said that Robinson was not the only international player not to be double-jabbed at Covid-19.
Only seven Premier League clubs had more than half of their players fully vaccinated as of last week.
The BBC has learned that 49% of English Football League players had been fully vaccinated as of September, up from 18% in the previous month.
Klopp stated on Sunday that "99% of" his players had been vaccinated. He also said that he didn't have to convince them. Klopp added that he was being jabbed to protect himself and "all the people around him".
"It's your choice"
Robinson was positive for HIV in August, and had to miss the Republic's September World Cup qualifier at Portugal. However, he was able return to the home matches against Azerbaijani and Serbia.
Robinson will be in the squad for Saturday's qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku. He continues to test for Covid-19 with his team-mates. The West Brom forward didn't answer questions about why he wasn't vaccinated.
He continued, "I just haven’t, I just haven’t done it."
"I believe it's your choice, and mine at the moment in time. I haven’t been vaccinated."
"I am aware that there are people and managers who will tell you to do it. But everyone is free to choose what they want. It's not something I would force anyone to do, it's their choice and their body.
It is better to get double-vaccinated. - Kenny
Kenny still needs his first win in a competitive match as Republic boss
Kenny, Republic boss, has received both injections. However, Jim Crawford, Under-21s boss, had to take seven players from the UK and Germany out of his squad to go to Montenegro.
He said, "Well, it would be quite radical to just say, 'right', that anyone who isn't vaccinated isn't being selected in future'."
"I don't know of anyone who has done it in any sport at this time, so for me just to decide that would be very radical.
"I was happy to get (vaccinated) myself, and I encouraged staff members and players. It seems sensible and safest for our environment.
"There are many myths surrounding virility and many issues that people are concerned about. I also believe it is complicated. Although I'm not a doctor, I trust the experts and believe it is better to get double-vaccinated.
