FOOTBALL should not even think about starting again while people are still dying from the coronavirus.

Former City midfielder Nathan Doyle reckons it would be “taking the mickey” out of the NHS frontline workers to push ahead with attempts to finish the season.

Various plans continue to be floated in a bid to revive the suspended campaign in the Premier League and EFL.

But Doyle, who now works for a firm suppling fruit and vegetables to the elderly isolated by the pandemic, insists it is wrong to be thinking about football.

He said: “When you think of the NHS workers who have died from putting their bodies on the line, football should come nowhere near.

“I think it would be very selfish if we start football again.

“I know everybody’s missing it but until we’ve got a vaccine and it’s safe to play, it shouldn’t be happening.

“The PFA should come out and say something. Instead of talking about trying to get football back on, they should be saying that it won’t even be considered until everything is 100 per cent safe for the players.

“When it boils down to it, it’s because of the money. That’s why everyone wants to get it back on.

“But the safety of the players and staff has to paramount.

“We are taking the mickey out of the NHS by saying we can order 70,000 tests and PPE kits for football staff when there’s not even enough for those who are trying to save lives.

“People say that footballers are overpaid and this and that and this just backs it up.

“But if you went down the line and asked every single footballer what’s most important whether it’s to get the season on or look after the vulnerable, the NHS and the key workers out there, it would be a no-brainer.

“But because nobody is saying it for them, they can’t come out and make that clear.”

City are into their ninth week without football since the last game on March 7. Another videocall between League Two clubs and the EFL is set to take place on Thursday.

Doyle, who twice played at Wembley in 2013, rejects the idea of trying to finish behind closed doors.

He added: “I personally wouldn’t want a test so that I could play football when there are people much worthier missing out.

“How can it be right when there are those with families who are putting their lives at risk on the frontline and haven’t got the right PPE equipment and testing?

“When you play football matches, you need the paramedics there and an ambulance. Are you going to take that away from NHS staff who actually need it at the minute just to satisfy the egos of people wanting to finish the season?

“Just say we got the season restarted and then five footballers die. What have we sacrificed then?

“Other countries have called that it because they realise the safety of the players and the frontline workers.

“If we roll on a few months and we’ve got a vaccine and we can guarantee there will be no more fatalities, then crack on by all means.

“But don’t think about it now. Too many people have died already.

“I genuinely think the players don’t want to come back. They know it’s not worth the risk."