HAPPY new year. In the interests of this week’s column, I studied the weighty government document, Guidance on Coronavirus Measures for Elite Sport.

Full of important Covid guidelines for professional clubs and athletes, the document sets out a recommended framework for the operation of elite sport.

It also sets out guidance for elite sport organisations on how to reduce the risk from Covid for athletes, coaches, support staff and other members of the elite sport operational structure. 

However — I’m sure the qualified lawyers among us will correct me if I’m wrong — the tome fails to offer guidance on transparency relating to clubs sharing details of who may be infected with coronavirus at any given time, and more importantly, what constitutes enough of a crisis for a professional football match to be called off.

While you could argue that such information should be regarded as confidential and covered under privacy laws — or, in the case of postponements, the government simply passes the buck to sporting administrators — elite sport, as ever, should be considered as an outlier, an exception to the rule, an exemption to normal process and procedures.

Why?

Take a look at the Arsenal v Liverpool postponement. The Merseysiders requested Thursday’s game be called off due to a number of confirmed cases in their camp.

It goes without saying safety is paramount — although if clubs follow the raft of guidance to the letter there is absolutely no reason to fear safety will be compromised in any way shape or form. 

But once we are certain all protocols have been followed, why shouldn’t we have full disclosure from clubs and from administrative bodies and regulators in producing a daily list of Premier League players, managers, coaches and backroom staff currently infected with Covid?

They do it in the National Hockey League in the United States, among other sports. A daily list that details each and every player missing with Covid.

Such a dossier completely takes away misinformation, speculation and idle gossip, providing clear and transparent news that can then inform big decisions, such as whether the administrators should have called off the big game at the Emirates this week. Because many Arsenal supporters have been questioning exactly how many Liverpool players were out with Covid — certainly in context of the four Gunners down with Covid prior to the opening game of the season against Brentford.

Arsenal’s request to postpone the game against the Bees back in August was turned down flat. So, did Liverpool have more than four players out with Covid in the build-up to this week’s game?

I covered the enthralling Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool game on Sunday, and as I understood it, Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino were absent due to Covid.

Of course assistant boss Pepijn Lijnders then joined boss Jurgen Klopp missing with Covid, but, bar the club closing its training ground and, of course, following the government’s detailed Covid guidelines document, how many other players do we know for sure were infected or isolating?

I don’t blame Liverpool. It’s the lack of openness and transparency from the EFL and the FA as the top flight’s governing body that added to the confusion. If we had a definitive daily list such opaqueness would be removed.

Bodies could then share exactly why they take the actions they do. And in this case, explain why three confirmed Liverpool players out with Covid merits a postponement when four from Arsenal didn’t? The lack of transparency and consistency is what frustrates.

What also frustrates of course is VAR.

I covered Arsenal’s encouraging performance against Manchester City on New Year’s Day and a hugely entertaining football match was marred by controversy. 

As a rule I try not to get too overexcited about VAR and referees’ decisions, not least because there’s always two sides to every story.

Which is why I didn’t go to town on City keeper’s Ederson’s challenge on Martin Odegaard in the first half, which referee Stuart Attwell waved away. So convinced was he, he didn’t even check the monitor. And he certainly wasn’t encouraged to either.

Fast forward to the second half and Granit Xhaka’s foul on Bernardo Silva — instinctively I thought it was a penalty. Attwell didn’t.

You can argue all you want about the award, but the fact was Xhaka grabbed Silva’s shirt while leaving a leg out. And you simply can’t do that, whether your opponent has a propensity for diving or not. For me it was lazy and undisciplined from Xhaka.

But the crux of the issue for me — and many others — was the fact that Attwell was directed to the monitor to overturn his original decision. Why? Why wasn’t he instructed to do that with Odegaard’s claim?

And don’t hide behind the clear and obvious error nonsense as an excuse. An error is an error. VAR needs to be more consistent on that count. As does the VAR official, who also needs to come out after any given match and explain contentious decisions. Not in the spirit of a witch-hunt, more simply to add clarity to the situation.

If the VAR official — which, last week, was Australian Jarred Gillet, an official I normally rate highly — was asked for his comments, then it clears up all post-match confusion and speculation.

Because transparency and consistency are key to making correct decisions. That’s not too much to ask for. Is it?

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What I’ve been watching over the festive period and the new year:

Get Back:

If you love the Beatles — and even if you don’t (although, why wouldn’t you love them?) — Peter Jackson’s utterly outstanding Get Back is essential viewing.

Nine hours of unseen footage filmed during the recording of their final album Let It Be, which culminates in their incredible live show on top of their Apple offices on Savile Row.

A music programme, a social documentary, a stunning rework of original film, and a powerful insight into the most influential band ever.

If you love music, promise me you’ll do one thing this year and watch this series in its entirety. Then tell me how good it is. I’ll certainly have Let It Be playing in the car driving up to cover Nottingham Forest v Arsenal on Sunday.

Joan Didion: The Centre Will Not Hold

The passing of a giant of journalism two days before Christmas was missed by many. But Joan was/is a hero of mine. This outstanding documentary detailing her life and incredible career shines a light on just what made her such an amazing journalist.

Succession:

If you hate Rupert Murdoch and his evil empire this box set will have you purring with schadenfreude at such a horrifying dysfunctional “fictional” family.