Lockout not the solution to coronavirus crisis - Chris Wilder

FOOTBALL managers across Yorkshire are unanimous in their desire for games not to be played behind closed doors amid the escalating coronavirus crisis.
Blades manager Chris Wilder.   Picture: Simon Bellis/SportimageBlades manager Chris Wilder.   Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Blades manager Chris Wilder. Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

The UK Government has now moved to the ‘delay’ phase of its plan to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak and is considering postponing sporting fixtures and events in the future.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed it will not happen immediately, after being advised by scientists that there is no medical reason to do so ‘at the moment.’

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Staging games in empty stadiums represents another option, but it has little support across the county.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is adamant that a delay in the season – something advocated by Salford City chairman Gary Neville earlier this week – is much more preferable to games being played in front of no spectators, which he feels would have a particularly devastating effect for lower-division clubs.

Wilder, whose side visit Newcastle United tomorrow, said: “Gary knows the game better than anybody, inside and out.

“I saw an article with him and the impact is not worth thinking about; from the sponsorship and corporate point of view and from spectators buying a pie and a programme and watching the game.

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“For them (fans) not to be involved will have huge ramifications on every level of football and most certainly, in the lower leagues. It would be so disappointing and affect everybody hugely.

“I would prefer them (authorities) to delay the season if it came to that because the game is nothing without supporters.

“We all do it for a reason, but the biggest reason is to play in front of supporters, because of the buzz and the excitement they bring to the game.”

Wilder’s thoughts were echoed by a number of his counterparts across Yorkshire including Hull City chief Grant McCann and Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk, who are all against games being played in empty stadiums.

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McCann observed: “What’s football without the fans? It’s horrible.

“I saw the PSG game (on TV) in an empty stadium, but we know safety is paramount. We know the importance of people staying right and not spreading this thing. It is really important, so we back whatever they do.

“But football without fans is nothing. It would be a shame, but we know people’s health is really important and that is the most important thing.”

Offering his take, Monk added: “You want your fans regardless of what situation you are in, how good it is, how bad it is. Football is nothing without the feeling, it is not the same. I remember growing up, you play for yourself, but you play for the fans, particularly in England.

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“Our number one aim is to play in front of our fans, regardless of the situation, we need them as much as ever.”

It is not just managers who are wholly against the unpalatable option of playing games behind closed doors, but also, perhaps more pertinently, the players.

Owls winger Jacob Murphy, likely to speak for many in preferring the season to be postponed rather than be played out without fans present, said: “I think it would be a killer for the game.

“The fans create the atmosphere and give the players the drive. Maybe it would end up feeling like a training game, because there’s no atmosphere.”

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A statement issued by the EFL last night read: “In light of today’s announcement by the UK Government, matches will continue to take place as normal while the guidance from the relevant authorities remains that there is no medical rationale to close or cancel sporting events at this time.

“The EFL, however, will continue to work with Government and relevant stakeholders to further develop contingency plans to ensure the League is best placed to act as and when any potential restrictions may come into force.”

While games in England will carry on, for the time being, top-flight football in Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and the United States has been suspended amid the outbreak, while Manchester City’s Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Real Madrid, due to take place on Tuesday, has been postponed.

Meanwhile, European football’s governing body UEFA has called an emergency meeting for Tuesday in which the possibility of postponing Euro 2020 by one year will be discussed.

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Seven matches are set to take place at Wembley, while others are due to be held in Glasgow, Dublin and Cardiff.

European football’s governing body has called together its 55 member associations to discuss options for completing the Champions League, the Europa League and the possibility of moving the Euros.

Leicester City have confirmed that three players have shown symptoms of the coronavirus and are self-isolating as a precaution.

Arsenal last night announced their head coach Mikel Arteta has contracted the coronavirus. The whole first-team squad is now in self-isolation.

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