ARMCHAIR fans can start counting down the days to the return of sport with the Government considering the green light for a big comeback.
It is just the boost the nation needs after weeks of lockdown with only the monumental fund-raising efforts of Captain Tom Moore to cheer.
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In an ideal world, easing restrictions early next month could mean the Premier League being able to resume behind closed doors on May 30Credit: PA:Press Association
Sporting events would need to be televised and take place behind closed doorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Sky and the BBC have done their best to keep us entertained with re-runs of classic sporting occasions — but there is nothing to compare with live match action.
The thought that we could be just weeks away from welcoming back sporting icons — such as Harry Kane, Ben Stokes, Owen Farrell, Dina Asher-Smith and Rory McIlroy — will be a huge lift to millions.
Let’s just hope the Government’s admirable ambition can be matched by reality.
There are a lot of hurdles to be cleared before the nation’s finest sportsmen and women can safely return to action.
No risks can be taken nor corners cut when we are dealing with a deadly infection that has already claimed close to 20,000 British lives.
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But if anything can encourage the public to stay safely at home, it’s the thought of stretching out on the sofa to watch Manchester City v Liverpool or England’s cricketers against the Aussies.
If all goes to plan and the coronavirus pandemic starts to ease, the UK will cautiously start to emerge from isolation on May 7.
That would allow our footballers, cricketers, rugby players and athletes to return to full-time training after six weeks of treadmills and exercise bikes.
In an ideal world, it would mean the Premier League being able to resume behind closed doors on May 30.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on Germany, where the first major football league plans to start again on May 9.
But if anything should go wrong in the Bundesliga, and even one player goes down with the virus, it would be a massive setback for everyone.
Let’s hope that does not come to pass.
Britain needs our sporting heroes like never before.
Welcoming back sporting icons — such as Harry Kane, above, Ben Stokes, Owen Farrell, Dina Asher-Smith and Rory McIlroy — will be a huge lift to millions of BritsCredit: PA:Press Association
Live sporting events could soon return to the UK’s TV screensCredit: Alamy
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
