Masks come on as Delhi Dynamos host Jamshedpur FC

New Delhi, December 5: Air pollution in the city is a cause of concern for not only the Sri Lankan cricketers but also for the footballers competing in the Indian Super League as they wore masks while training on Tuesday (December 5).

Delhi Dynamos take on Jamshedpur FC in their second home match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday (December 6) and a couple of players were seen wearing masks during the home side's training session.

Lankans wear masks

During the ongoing second cricket Test at Feroz Shah Kotla between India and Sri Lanka, the visiting players complained of breathing problems due to smog and continued to wear anti-pollution masks on the field.

Is this a first? Sri Lankan cricketers were wearing masks on the field during the 3rd #INDvSL Test match in Delhi, India. #Smog #Pollution pic.twitter.com/Ebhs1ZeE6t

— Island Cricket (@IslandCricket) December 3, 2017

Dynamos coach Miguel Angel Portugal confirmed that his players wore masks, but said they will not use them during the match.

"This pollution is a problem, but it's not solely for the players and me. It's for the people of Delhi. We have been training with masks, so it is fine. The players will not be donning the masks on match day tomorrow," Miguel Angel said at the pre-match press conference. "It is a home and away league and it (tomorrow) is our home match. So there is no question of not playing, we have to play here," he added.

Jamshedpur FC coach Steve Coppell said the football matches should not have been held in Delhi during this time of the year though he stopped short of saying that it's unsafe for players.

"Around Diwali last year, I came to Delhi with the Kerala Blasters team. When we played last year, at that time the measure (level) of particulate matters was over 500. I think it's 300 today," Coppell said. "For the last three years, I have been in Delhi at this time and there has been the exactly same commentary about doing something but nothing has happened. Last year I said that matches should not be scheduled in Delhi around this particular time of the year. Common sense should have prevailed."

मौसम चाहे कैसा भी हो, हमारे खिलाड़ी ट्रेनिंग कभी मिस नहीं करेंगे।

The lads battling the Delhi weather in training. 💪🏼 #JamKeKhelo #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/dsqxRPP0LF

— Jamshedpur FC (@JamshedpurFC) December 5, 2017

Understandably, Coppell, a former Manchester United player and Manchester City coach, said he would have loved to play in better conditions.

"It's not for sportsmen to say, it is a decision the health officials will have to make. If you ask me if I want to play in these conditions I would say I don't think so."

Watch out @DelhiDynamos player Kalu Uche, takes a journey down his memory lane and talks about his childhood#RoarWithTheLions #LetsFootball @IndSuperLeague https://t.co/L1HqLrvrmK

— Veblr (@VeblrOfficial) December 4, 2017

Asked specifically if it's safe for the players, he said, "I don't know. I would have loved to play somewhere else in better conditions.

"No, it is very difficult to play football with masks. I appreciate cricket players can play by wearing masks but it is very difficult for footballers. It shows the contrast between the two games. Football is a very intense game," he said.

“We have matches in short-short periods. We keep rotating the players,“ Head Coach, @maportugal55. #RoarWithTheLions

— Delhi Dynamos FC (@DelhiDynamos) December 5, 2017

Delhi's viability as an international sports venue has been called into question after the Sri Lankans' complaint came close on the heels of the furore that preceded last month's Delhi Half Marathon which took place despite high pollution levels and an appeal by the Indian Medical Association to cancel the event.

Delhi Dynamos vs Jamshedpur FC

Indian Super League

Live from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

at 8 pm

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar