Coronavirus and football.

[AdiSalisbury]

So the FIFA medical committee chairman has come out and that no football should be allowed to go ahead before 1st September, at the earliest.

The Premier League doesn't seem to agree.

That doesn't sound good for the cricket season either! How did he come to 1st September, and how can you dictate to different countries with differing infection rates?

[Ram59]

That doesn't sound good for the cricket season either! How did he come to 1st September, and how can you dictate to different countries with differing infection rates?

Agreed, some places like New Zealand for instance, are virtually covid free. But if FIFA decide to make this mandatory, does this mean that football can not go ahead, full stop?

[Geoff Parkstone]

That doesn't sound good for the cricket season either! How did he come to 1st September, and how can you dictate to different countries with differing infection rates?

I suspect the response "what cricket season?" is the answer to that. Abandon it now, at least the "current season" pretty much will coincide with lockdown Britain. Start again April / May 2021. And abolish the 100 too!

[Geoff Parkstone]

Do the new Zealanders care about football?

[Ram59]

Do the new Zealanders care about football?

Not really, rugby union and cricket are their big passions.

[MadAmster]

So the FIFA medical committee chairman has come out and that no football should be allowed to go ahead before 1st September, at the earliest.

The Premier League doesn't seem to agree.

The very date UEFA has given that European Leagues should be finished by....... joined up thinking it's, most certainly, not.

[Andy_Faber]

which I'm surprised at, because its far easier to socially distance playing cricket than football, likewise golf (especially playing with me), likewise tennis, I get the feeling football is being pushed because of the massive £££s involved

I agree Geoff that the 100 is a farce, but it might actually do good this summer, new teams, short games, razzamatazz, might just grab folks TV watching attention

[Geoff Parkstone]

new teams.... no teams if you are unlucky enough to support the wrong ones - eg Derbyshire or in my case Gloucestershire. No way will I back a Welsh team and I cannot see you supporting a team based in Nottingham?

But the whole concept is deeply flawed and aims to appeal to a different age group. Perhaps more youngsters will become interested in cricket as a result, but Im not sure Id call what they would be interested in is really cricket. Just an extension of the 20-20 glory of batsman trashing bowler. Not for me. Even if its the only cricket on TV (assume with no crowds), I'm still not sure I'd watch it. Still the smash and grab nature of the games does mean social distancing is possible on the field - no need for "2 slips and a gully" all too close.

[AdiSalisbury]

No polishing the ball with spit either. And if it gets wet, you dry is with an antibacterial wipe instead of the bar cloth

[ramAnag]

No ‘keeper standing up to the stumps either so the spinners are screwed.