ADAM LE FONDRE gave fans something to get excited about as they tuned into the Australian league to get their football fix.
As the deadly coronavirus pandemic sweeps the globe with over 11,500 worldwide deaths, major sporting events have been cancelled or backdated.
scored the only goal in the world and pretended to celebrate in front of an empty stadiumCredit: BT Sport
Australia’s A-League is continuing to play on but with games played behind closed doorsCredit: AFP or licensors
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Italy, Spain and France are in lockdown, Europe’s top leagues have been postponed and Euro 2020 has been pushed back a year to allow the seasons to finish further into the summer.
But with only 1,068 COVID-19 cases and seven recorded deaths in Australia, the A-League is continuing to play on but with games played behind closed doors.
And with the game between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers live on BT Sport, footy fans were tuning in.
Ex-Reading and Cardiff striker Le Fondre was the star of the show as he opened the scoring for Sydney FC.
He then hilariously marked the goal by pretending to applaud fans in attendance – despite no one being there.
But fans watching at home reacted to Le Fondre’s efforts.
One fan summed it up as they said: “Got to take all the live football you can in these tough times.”
Without supporters making noise in the stands, conversations between players and managers on the field can now be heard.
And Sydney boss Steve Corica was in full voice as he questioned whether the assistant referee’s FRINGE got in his way as he awarded a contentious throw-in to Wanderers.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw as Kwame Yeboah equalised in the 82nd minute.
As Europe’s top leagues prepare to access their situations at the end of April, LaLiga president Javier Tebas has revealed the plan, including the English top-flight, is to target a return to action in the middle of May.
Tebas recently stated how Spanish teams could be forced to play every 48 hours, with Champions League games to be played on Saturdays.
And now the 57-year-old – who is part of a working Uefa committee – has lifted the lid on when he expects the football calendar to resume in order for the season to be finished by the end of June.
He said: “Given the current situation, we believe we can restart the competitions in mid-May, perhaps during the third week.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
