[Football] Coronavirus: Plans for fans to return to sport events in October called off

[GT49er]

Given the events of this week this is understandable. That said having attended the Chelsea game I genuinely believe it would be safe to have a limited number of fans at the Amex for matches this season. I certainly think that L1/L2 and the National league should also be allowed to have up to say 1000 spectators in attendance. It is perfectly possible to socially distance in these circumstances and it brings in meaningful revenue for teams at that level.

Someone (a club chairman perhaps?) was on Talksport this morning talking about this. Letting 1000 fans in to a lower league match actually costs the club money. The thousand are likely to be STHs, so no extra revenue, plus to keep social distancing on entry and exit, they'd have to open all the turnstiles, and provide stewards, etc., so actually more expense.

There's no doubt about it - there's no easy answers, and the immediate future doesn't look good.

 

[zefarelly]

It all boild down to selfishness.

Happy to watch on TV, we're used to being stuck at home now, be grateful for what we have and hope it gets better not worse.

trying not to lurch toward political shitehousery territory. . .

 

[Braggfan]

I was seated at the South Stand end of the ESU and the occupancy level in that section was sufficiently low for it not to feel awkward. If you were allowed to take a beer back to your seat before or after the game this would also alleviate concourse occupancy.

I have to say I think the level they struck for that game was just about right, any more and it may felt more oppressive. I think 1-2000 per stand is manageable though. If they decided to shut the concessions to make it happen I'd accept that but I felt it did work well

Its worth noting that its not just about sitting in the stand, its proxmity on the concourse, and travelling to the games as well.

The big difference between then and now is that the infection rates have dramatically increased. They were still low when that game took place, and now they're back up to level we experienced when we were in lockdwon. It might have been ok to allow fans back in when the infection rate was under 1000 positive tests per day. Now it's just too much of a risk.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I bet this season doesn't get finished.

Why? Exactly same state of play as last season shirley? Put season on hold, if it comes to that, then Project Restart 2.0 when conditions allow. Else the whole thing will get bogged down in lawsuits forever

 

[studio150]

Trust the season doesn't end until we have climbed two places and qualify for the Europa League.

Hopefully all matches will be screened on TV while games continue behind closed doors.

 

[Bozza]

Why? Exactly same state of play as last season shirley? Put season on hold, if it comes to that, then Project Restart 2.0 when conditions allow. Else the whole thing will get bogged down in lawsuits forever

I'm not suggesting it will be called off, but I did speculate on another thread yesterday that if (when?) clubs suffer widespread outbreaks that either means they can't field a side, or that side is significantly weakened, it could threaten the integrity of the competition. What happens then?

Pretty much, by way of coincidence, what may happen for one of tonight's games: https://talksport.com/football/efl/...-leyton-orient-18-positive-coronavirus-tests/

Cup games are slightly easier to deal with. Given the fourth round is scheduled for next week, I can only guess that Spurs must be given a by to the next round or the whole competition may come unstuck. But what happens for league fixtures, particularly money-laden Premier League fixtures?

 

[beorhthelm]

Why? Exactly same state of play as last season shirley? Put season on hold, if it comes to that, then Project Restart 2.0 when conditions allow. Else the whole thing will get bogged down in lawsuits forever

im sure they put in contingency agreement for this now well known risk, so they can cut short or otherwise resolve the league positions.

...they havent have they?

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Following on from the scenes posted on Twitter from #United's FA Cup game last night I can see lower tier football getting drawn back into this also, which will mean that many of our established small clubs will fold.

 

[METALMICKY]

I mean, this.

There is a global pandemic. It's been handled pretty poorly and we are seeing the inevitable second spike. I love the Albion and miss going every week but if it is a choice between watching it on TV and making sure that me and my loved ones (and for that matter, anyone I might come into any contact with) are safe, or putting everyone at risk by mixing with 2,500 other people; it's a bloody easy choice.

Is the correct answer! Hardly surprise news and what would have been the reaction from the population that has zero interest in football had they pressed ahead with plans? Love my football and Albion but value my friends and family health more.