ROY HODGSON fears he could miss the rest of Crystal Palace’s season due to government restrictions on the over-70s.
Former England boss Hodgson, 72, has told friends he is concerned he will not be allowed to attend matches or even take training sessions at the club’s Beckenham base.
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Roy Hodgson could miss the rest of Crystal Palace’s season because of coronavirus
Premier League clubs are planning for a mid-June date for a resumption to the season – should the coronavirus crisis have eased sufficiently – with all matches played behind closed doors.
Yet it is expected that over-70s – deemed ‘high risk’ in relation to coronavirus – would still be subject to strict government lockdown guidance.
There is hope that special dispensation could be made for Hodgson, given that matches and training grounds would be ‘secure’ environments in which everyone would have been tested for the deadly disease.
The situation will remain unclear to the Premier League and Palace until the Government announces how and when social-distancing restrictions will be relaxed – advice which will not come before the next Government lockdown review on May 7.
But ministers want the football season, and other sporting events, to resume and to be widely televised, long before supporters are likely to be readmitted to venues.
And Premier League clubs hope to complete the remaining nine rounds of matches by the end of July – as long as there is no significant health risk – with the total number of people inside stadiums expected to be around 300.
Yet Hodgson is concerned that extended restrictions on the over-70s will prevent him from taking training or attending matches.
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Hodgson is a hands-on manager, usually on the training pitch with his team every day.
And while players will undergo a fitness-focused ‘pre-season’ programme when they return to training, Hodgson will be keen to drill them personally when it comes to match preparation.
If he is unable to attend the training ground or stadiums, Hodgson’s No 2 Ray Lewington, 63, would take charge with the manager working remotely.
While Hodgson is the only current top-flight boss over the age of 70, restrictions could affect others.
Manchester City assistant coach Brian Kidd turns 71 next month, while Everton’s long-serving kitman Jimmy Martin is 71, so neither may be allowed to attend matches.
Hodgson spoke about the issue before football’s March 13 lockdown – at a time when it was still thought that the season’s original timetable could be followed but with matches played behind closed doors.
And the Palace boss said then that he would abide by any Government decisions regarding over-70s.
Earlier this month, Hodgson issued a lengthy statement to Palace fans, praising the club’s community and charity work in response to the pandemic.
Hodgson’s team are in mid-table – a run of three straight wins before lockdown virtually guaranteeing their Premier League safety.
But Palace now have a realistic prospect of Europa League qualification, just four points adrift of sixth and seventh places.
Premier League football back ‘within weeks’ with all games live on TV for free as grounds stay shut
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
