Neil Warnock issues grim warning for football if there is a second lockdown

Harsher restrictions across more areas of England were announced yesterday as more cases of the mutant coronavirus strain spread across the country – with fears abound that professional football could again be paused as it was in March, if the situation continues to deteriorate.

Several EFL clubs have already seen their festive fixtures affected, including Rotherham United, whose Boxing Day trip to Warnock’s Boro has been called off due to further Covid-19 cases confirmed by the Millers.

Five players have reportedly returned positive results following testing.

The Millers home game with Derby County was called off last Saturday after a player tested positive, with further players in the first-team bubble also showing symptoms.

Rotherham remain in discussions with the league’s governing body regarding whether their scheduled derby with Barnsley on December 29 and home game with Cardiff City on January 2 will take place. Both fixtures are in major jeopardy.

Millwall have postponed their next two Championship games following positive tests.

Several League One sides will also be inactive on Boxing Day, including Hull City, due to an outbreak at scheduled opponents Sunderland.

Black Cats manager Lee Johnson has confirmed there have now been 13 cases of Covid-19 in his squad.

In March, the Premier League and Championship was put on hold for three months during the first national lockdown and the League One and League Two seasons were curtailed, with some fearful of another shutdown in the new year.

Adamant that football must continue, Warnock commented: “I think it would be a disaster if it did not (carry on). I do not think they (fans have got much more to cheer about around the country. Our country is built by the Accrington Stanley’s and Crewe Alexandra’s of this world –friendly clubs whose supporters live for the day, really.

“This (another shutdown) has got to be a last resort.”

On the worsening situation across the country, Warnock – who had to quarantine back in the autumn after testing positive for coronavirus – continued: “It is a little bit too late now and I think we have all made mistakes.

“When I looked (on the TV) at Harrods and around there with no gaps between anybody and hardly any masks on... It is not a shock it has gone bad (again).

“Although I don’t think it will be as bad as we know how to treat it now. We have just got to be on our toes. We must be so careful.”

Meanwhile, Warnock says that he has no issue whatever with the postponement of former club Rotherham’s trip to the Riverside Stadium, with Boro due back in action on Tuesday when they visit Sheffield Wednesday.

He added: “I am disappointed obviously, but safety has got to come first. No doubt it was a worry down at Rotherham. Hopefully, we can play it as soon as we can in the new year.

“I think it is the first Christmas Day and Boxing Day off in 56 years for me with my family, so I think I will try and enjoy it.”

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