The Government have urged Premier League footballers to take the Covid vaccine, with ministers telling players and society at large: ‘I know there’s some with concerns but (our) message is still: get vaccinated.’

Sportsmail revealed last week that almost two-thirds of top-flight players are yet to be fully jabbed, with many refusing altogether as conspiracies involving Bill Gates, infertility and the power of vitamins ‘pollute’ dressing rooms.

Though on Thursday, Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston insisted: ‘It’s a relatively small number of people getting quite a lot of attention.

‘The message from Government is get vaccinated, full stop. That goes for everybody — sportspeople, absolutely everybody.

‘The vast majority of athletes in all sports actually have got vaccinated,’ he added. ‘They have also then helped us to encourage others to get vaccinated, using their platforms to great effect and we’re very grateful for that.’

Huddleston also defended the use of exemptions for elite sportspeople, insisting: ‘It still comes with a lot of caveats.’

Meanwhile, Brazil have followed Argentina by confirming their nine Premier League players will not return early from international duty.

Brazil’s third qualifier against Uruguay is barely 24 hours before the Premier League restarts on October 16.