PREM chiefs do not intend to let extra TV games be broadcast for nothing if the coronavirus forces fan-free football.
Government scientific experts have cleared this week’s games, as well as the Cheltenham Festival, to go ahead as planned.
Broadcasters could be able to show games at 3pm on Saturdays if matches need to be held behind closed doorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Spurs fans heading to Germany for tonight’s Champions League second leg with Leipzig were also told they will be allowed inside the Red Bull Arena despite PSG’s clash with Dortmund and Valencia’s match against Atalanta taking place without supporters.
But sports bodies, including the FA and Premier League, were told to confirm their contingency plans are in place for behind closed doors events.
Prem clubs are now preparing to enforce a Government-ordered shut-out from as soon as next week.
It means the 3pm “blackout” that prevents Saturday afternoon games from being shown on TV to avoid impacting gates could be temporarily lifted – if the government demands it happens.
Based on scientific advice there’s no rationale to close or cancel sport events as things stand
Dept of Culture, Media and Sport
But that will not see matches being made available for fans to watch for free.
Instead, it is understood that League bosses will work with their main broadcast partners, Sky and BT Sport, to ensure that matches are available for supporters – but only on their current subscription services.
One Prem insider explained: “We have some great broadcast partners who do a fantastic job.
“These games have never been due to be shown on television and if we do change things that is a service fans wouldn’t have normally had.
“But the idea of screening them free to air is not something we’re looking at or planning at this stage.”
The pressure on football in particular to ramp up planning followed a meeting of major sports bodies, the broadcasters and the health experts at the Departure of Culture, Media and Sport.
Clubs were informed that the latest number of positive results for the virus was 319 from almost 25,000 tests, with a fourth fatality confirmed yesterday afternoon.
Prem bosses, determined to ensure that they take all possible moves to ensure the season is completed on schedule, are increasingly resigned to the reality of a number of fixtures rounds being played behind closed doors.
Potential measures include a ban on over-70s attending games as they are the most vulnerable group to the worst impact of the virus.
The government is understood to be considering a ban on matches being screened in pubs, to prevent supporters spreading the virus.
RB Leipzig prepare to take on Spurs on tuesday- with fans set to be allowed inCredit: EPA
Spurs midfielder Dele Alli faces the press at the Red Bull Arena ahead of the Champions League return leg in Leipzig on Tuesday nightCredit: Reuters
But other concerns include fans congregating outside grounds at big matches to which the gates are barred, especially with Liverpool, closing in on a first title since 1990.
This week’s Prem games are expected to be played with supporters as scheduled, although that is subject to change.
In a statement after the meeting, a spokesperson for the Department said: “The meeting included a discussion of how staging sporting events behind closed doors could work in practice, should the situation change and become necessary.
“Based upon the current scientific advice there is no rationale to close or cancel sporting events as things stand.
“We will remain in regular dialogue with sports governing bodies and broadcasters, ensuring they are in receipt of the most up to date guidance from the health authorities.”
Many Tottenham fans would have already been travelling to Leipzig when the city Mayor
Burkhard Jung gave his approval.
Local officials cited the fact that Britain is not, so far, designated as a high-risk area and that there is a difference between indoor and outdoor stadiums when it comes to spreading the virus.
While the Cheltenham Festival, which begins today, was given the green light, the last weekend of Rugby union’s Six Nations will now just see the game between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff go ahead.
Across Europe, the Italian government postponed ALL domestic sporting events until April 3 while French officials ordered all games up to April 15 to be played behind closed doors.
Similar measures adopted in Romania and Greece are likely to stop Wolves supporters making their trip to Thursday’s Europa League game with Olympiacos.
And in the US, the tennis’ ATP and WTA Indian Wells Masters was scrapped after a confirmed case of Covid 19 in the Coachella Valley region of California.
Solskjaer says Man United are ‘one, two or three’ transfers away from a title challenge after downing neighbours City
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
