Chelsea have instructed staff to exercise caution with Fantasy Premier League, fearing team selections could inadvertently reveal sensitive injury information. This directive follows the premature disclosure of Joao Pedro's quad injury before a 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham. Several Fantasy Premier League creators claimed to have seen staff and forward Morgan Rogers remove Pedro from their lineups prior to kick-off, despite no official club announcement.
Manager Xabi Alonso stated he was unaware of the situation, maintaining his general guarded stance on injury details since joining Chelsea in the summer. The club views this as an isolated incident manageable through increased awareness, rather than implementing new restrictions. This issue echoes previous leaks under former manager Liam Rosenior, including ones involving Marc Cucurella's barber revealing Pedro and Cole Palmer's absence for a Brighton trip.
With over 11 million participants, Fantasy Premier League remains a significant part of the football ecosystem. While strict gambling rules exist, the Premier League offers no specific guidance, leaving club management to individual teams. The highest-profile historical example involves Jack Grealish's omission being revealed before a match against Leicester City in February 2021.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing