PEP GUARDIOLA fears fans who refuse to wear masks could plunge football into another lockdown.
The Manchester City boss is shocked face coverings are not already compulsory EVERY time people go outdoors.
Guardiola is dreading a return to football in empty stadiums.
So with Omicron infections soaring and scientists insisting this Covid variant is highly contagious, he cannot understand why anyone is not prepared to mask-up.
Guardiola said: “It’s what I’m surprised about the most. You go to the street, to big malls, in the places to buy presents for the family, and no one wears a mask.
“The cases are rising all around the world, not only in the UK, and in the football bubbles these people go to the stadiums. They can contaminate, but people don’t use masks.
“Right from the beginning, the scientists say the most protection you can have is hand sanitisers and a mask. But the people don’t wear it and I’m very surprised.
“I think in Spain now it will be an obligation, compulsory not just in some places but outdoors. If you go on the street you have to wear it.”
Guardiola, who accepts being jabbed is down to choice, surprised staff at the vaccination centre next to the Etihad this week by popping in for his own booster.
Yet he does think wearing masks is a decision which should be taken out of everyone’s hands.
He added: “I think we should come back to the start again.
“And as part of that, hand sanitiser, social distance and masks. It’s the best way we can protect ourselves, our families and the rest of the people.
“Then the restaurants could still be open, football could go on. I’m not a scientist or a doctor, so maybe I’m saying a stupid thing.
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“But I trust the doctors, I trust the scientists because they know exactly, absolutely, more than me.
“We have to try to do it, otherwise another barrier may be coming down — and it will be again and again.
“And you cannot imagine how different it is playing with people and playing without. There’s no comparison.”
