Details of the effect of the Corinavirus on football have been revealed today in The Times.
The Government’s Cobra Committee will meet this morning to implement their response to the pandemic as it moves from contain to delay with the number of UK cases expected to go through 500 today.
The report in The Times relates to England but the exact same measures seem certain to apply to Scotland where the SPFL and SFA have been active this week preparing clubs for the full brunt of the pandemic.
This week Champions League matches in Valencia and Paris have been played behind closed doors with the Europa League matches at Sevilla and Milan postponed with no dates set for when they will be played.
The football authorities have been hit with the dilemma of playing matches behind closed doors or postponing matches which could result in chaos with leagues and cup competitions not being completed.
The Times reports:
- The current season will not be postponed and instead matches in the Premier League and lower divisions will be moved behind closed doors;
- All Premier League season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games will be able to stream coverage of matches into their homes;
- No games will be shown in pubs so as to avoidcongregation of people;
- Premier League games will not be shown live in the 3pm slot on Saturday afternoons;
- Broadcasters will be permitted to screen more than one Premier League game during both the lunchtime and tea-time television slots on Saturday, and the scheduled slots on Sundays and Mondays; and
- Season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games at Football League clubs will be allowed to watch matches on iFollow streams.
The plan may be implemented once the number of UK coronavirus cases passes 500. Last night it stood at 460.
The dramatic moves are seen as the only potential way to end the present season in light of the growing coronavirus crisis in England and the growing possibility of the country being moved to the delay phase.
The government has been in discussion with the Premier League, the Football League and the Football Association about what can be done. The uncertainty over how the virus will develop and how long it will last are seen as reasons why English football will not be temporarily postponed. The forthcoming Euros also present a problem to the Premier League as to when this season would actually finish and how it could impact upon future campaigns.
Yesterday President Trump announced a ban on European’s visiting the USA with the exception of people from Ireland and the UK.
Celtic’s next home match is on March 21 at home to St Johnstone, today’s announcement increases the likelihood that Sunday’s Glasgow derby could be played in front of no supporters.
