Coronavirus and football.

[ramAnag]

On a brighter note (rA). Some countries have announced the first easing of measures. If that doesn't lead to a resurgence in cases/deaths they will announce the next raft of easing and so on.

Thanks for that MA.

Sure cricket could commence at the County Ground shortly...spectators usually have a choice of about 100 seats each there in normal circumstances. Forest could probably restart their home fixtures too.

More seriously, I really hope the Government takes the opportunity to learn from the ‘some countries’ you mention. It would be absolute folly to try and return to something more normal too soon and I am fearful of what might happen in Italy, Spain and Denmark.

Hopefully their experts know what they’re doing, but we do have the opportunity to learn from others before easing our own ‘lockdown’ and must make the most of it.

[Ram59]

This sounds crazy, but you be prepared to go to every 4th or 5th game? The club could mark out the seats so that no one sits next to each other. It wouldn't be a 2m gap, but it would allow some atmosphere back in the ground, even if there were only 4/5,000 in there.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Try policing that one Ram! We score and everyone rushes together to celebrate. We are winning and the singing starts... I somehow can't see people staying seated and singing in their own little bubble.... It comes back to "people can't be trusted", and the least trusted demographic for lockdown disobedience is male 18-30.

Now, what is your probable typical football fan? I'd suggest male 18-30.... nuff said. Football crowds, however small, and social distancing are incompatible. Cricket might work as the typical seat to arse ratio* is much higher, the fan demographic much older and its a gentlemanly game 😊

But the odds are strong that, whatever the sport, whichever is first out of the bag will attract a huge following of people starved of live action, who might otherwise never watch that sport live. Humans are social creatures, for better or worse, and sport is a social spectacle.

* a new technical term

[swaledale]

Try policing that one Ram! We score and everyone rushes together to celebrate. We are winning and the singing starts... I somehow can't see people staying seated and singing in their own little bubble.... It comes back to "people can't be trusted", and the least trusted demographic for lockdown disobedience is male 18-30.

Now, what is your probable typical football fan? I'd suggest male 18-30.... nuff said. Football crowds, however small, and social distancing are incompatible. Cricket might work as the typical seat to arse ratio* is much higher, the fan demographic much older and its a gentlemanly game ��

But the odds are strong that, whatever the sport, whichever is first out of the bag will attract a huge following of people starved of live action, who might otherwise never watch that sport live. Humans are social creatures, for better or worse, and sport is a social spectacle.

* a new technical term

Have you been to a football match lately? Theres a hefty proportion of over 30's at games, mind you some act like their in the 18-30 age range or even less sometimes!

[Trickytreesreds]

Well that will be adamp squib?
Can see some moaning and court cases even if it goes ahead.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...box=1587114617

[ramAnag]

Well that will be adamp squib?
Can see some moaning and court cases even if it goes ahead.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...box=1587114617

Sounds like you’re already ‘moaning’. Surprised you’re surprised. Come on then, let’s hear it...what would you have done?

[MadAmster]

Latest from the Netherlands. The National Safety Group made up of Mayors from the major cities and regions have advised the following to the cabinet.

Ban all concerts, sports events etc until September 1st or even October 1st. The current ban lasts until April 28th.....

This is to give the virus he chance to blow over as happened with SARS and MERS and avoid a 2nd wave.

Will the cabinet take the advice? We will know on Tuesday when they anounce what is to happen after April 28th.

[Trickytreesreds]

Sounds like you’re already ‘moaning’. Surprised you’re surprised. Come on then, let’s hear it...what would you have done?

Always fishing for a fight

I have already said. Nothing can be done that will not stop someone moaning.
Whatever they come up with will dissatisfy someone.

Personnally, I have already given up on the season. I think the boil and momentum have gone and interest has waned.
How anyone can get excited at the thought of watching a championship run in, then play off run eludes me.
Will they still go to Wembley? How bad/dross would that be?

[swaledale]

So, can we kiss the football season goodbye. If this message is anything to go by, us fans will not be seeing a game for some time.


Nadine Dorries

The Tory MP said on Twitter: "Journalists should stop asking about an ‘exit strategy.’

"There is only one way we can ‘exit’ full lockdown and that is when we have a vaccine.

"Until then, we need to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy."

The chances of a vaccine before 2021 look remote. So next season as well affected?

Why would anyone take any notice of what this thick MP says? For a start, Spain one of the worst affected countries has started to ease the lockdown as have Germany and Denmark, whilst Sweden never had one.

There is no realistic chance of having a lockdown util we have a vaccine, it would kill more people than lifting it. However it would be true to say that there will be some form of testing regime and protection of those vulnerable.

[Andy_Faber]

Ban all concerts, sports events etc until September 1st or even October 1st. The current ban lasts until April 28th.....

Purely my opinion but that will would be a sensible way to go - ease the lockdown but ban all mass gatherings. Not a happy situation for those who get their thrills or earn their livelihoods in the world of sport or music. Music has already moved online albeit the means of monetising it are difficult, I think sport will be a behind closed doors thing for some time.