THE PREMIER LEAGUE has released a joint statement declaring there are “no quick answers” for football’s return in the coronavirus pandemic.
Play was suspended on March 13 after the outbreak took hold in the UK and a resumption is not yet in sight.
Football remains off the table for the foreseeable futureCredit: PA:Press Association
In a fresh briefing from the Premier League, FA, EFL and Football Supporters’ Association, the game’s bosses insisted player and fan safety is paramount.
Wednesday’s statement read: “COVID-19 has presented a hugely challenging and uncertain time for everyone and our thoughts are with all those directly affected by the pandemic. The Government’s message is clear: stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
“We are all committed to getting back to playing the game we love – but only when it is safe to do so.
“Amid the current uncertainty, supporters will understandably have a number of questions relating to the season and the clubs they follow, and there are no quick answers to how and when we will return to what used to be our football normality.
“The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), Premier League, EFL and The FA want to reiterate that clubs and their supporters have a vital role to play in supporting the Government’s guidance and ensuring community strength and solidarity.
“While there is no football, our sport can still play its part.”
Prem plot to end season in behind-closed-doors Midlands ‘quarantine camp’ from NEXT MONTH despite coronavirus lockdown
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Initially suspended for three weeks, English football is now officially due to commence on April 30.
However that date is something of an arbitrary marker to allow time for full plans to be drawn up in the wildly varying scenarios laid out before us.
Some have called for the 2019/20 season to be cancelled despite only a handful of games left on the calendar.
Although the official line is that the campaign has been given an indefinite window to be extended into, given the postponement of the Euros, Olympics and Copa America by 12 months.
Several factors are under consideration for how football can take place in the medium-term, including playing games behind closed doors.
One reported plan involves an optimistic May restart to finish off the season in July, dodging a £750million rebate for broadcasters who have paid for a set number of games per year.
This could even take place in a football camp of sorts, with players quarantined together during a schedule of games taking place in the Midlands.
But the lack of available emergency service workers required to attend games is one major hurdle whether or not fans are present.
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There are particular worries over players incurring injuries that require hospital treatment in the virus crisis, a potential PR disaster as much as it is a significant issue for an already stretched healthcare system.
A growing number of figures, from Tottenham’s Harry Kane to ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand, feel the pandemic crisis demands the season be cancelled if it cannot be completed soon – thoughts reportedly echoed by a growing number of club bosses.
The official coronavirus death toll in the UK is 1,829 after the number testing positive for the illness topped 25,000.
On Wednesday, an app from King’s College London analysing symptoms from coronavirus patients revealed a fresh outlook on the symptoms leading up to the illness, including losing the ability to smell and taste.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
