Football and elite sport should stop

[Handcarthell]

I just don't get it. Why? Why are big groups of these hugging, kissing idiots being allowed to mix in the name of 'sport'?

They may be tested but they're mixing in the community and then with one another

Makes my blood boil.

Couldn’t agree more. The hugging is also completely unnecessary and shouldn’t be done - it sets a poor example when social distancing is so important (I don’t care if they’ve all had negative tests or have isolated, it’s not the point).
I do wonder if there may be people who are meeting (against the rules) to watch live sport - they might not bother if it wasn’t on and was replays of old games which is what was shown in the first lockdown when live sport was stopped

I agree OP. Makes no sense.

Add all the staff on the touch line... loads even without masks.

It's a national disgrace

I agree. With football and to an extent other team sports the number of people having to self-isolate is such that not only is it spreading the virus, but also not a fair competition any more.

It would have stopped if Manchester United's entire first team could not play and had to self-isolate, that's for sure.

I disagree, despite the fact that I have very little interest in spectator sport.

The health of the teams is closely monitored. They are very low risk of significant complications. It is a workplace.

It also keeps millions of people happy at a time when very little else does. Better that Dave is watching football on Sky at home than nipping round to Bob's house for a couple of sneaky drinks because he's bored. Better to keep the masses happy at home than run the risk of civil unrest from bored people with too much time on their hands.

If the Premiership hadn't resumed and pubs opened when they did last summer, the atmosphere was brewing close to civil unrest. Fortunately BLM redirected a lot of that energy to a civilised cause (or contained counter cause). The government was lucky that there wasn't rioting last summer.

The benefits of continuing professional sport far out weight the Covid risk.

Er the national league ( the lowest league..... the players have other jobs) are still playing too you know!

Hugging just like the pro’s! On t ft he news last night that there was a lot of protesting over weekends mixing. Looks like it’s caught attention and may end up banned too

I'm not a sports fan but I don't think it should be stopped. They are tested regularly, which is the point I think.

Whole teams are being tested positive and they're not in a team bubble.

Testing obviously isn't doing anything to stop it spreading

a national disgrace

That's OTT even for Mumsnet.

I disagree for the reasons outlined by PPs. Also it is not just Daves who watch football but Davinas can enjoy it too.

I cant be bothered explaining all the rules rugby union brought it.

Roll on the 6 nations next month.

Agree. Fed up with these supposed icons blatantly breeching restrictions with no consequences and tying up resources in case of injury (ie. ambulance at racecourse). Dh has a theory it continues to keep people who might otherwise mix at home to watch, and make money of course.

most of womens football seems to have been mysteriously cancelled...hmm

Totally disagree.

You know that premiership footballers are not the only elite sports people in the country right?

My dc is starting back at pre season in 2 weeks and I couldnt be happier for him!

Lots of testing and changes to usual protocol but at least they can get together to train again for the first time in 10 months.

The world masters judo is on at the moment in Doha. Full contact fighting sport and they can't shake hands after they've fought 🤷🏼‍♂️

@FunnyInjury

You know that premiership footballers are not the only elite sports people in the country right?

My dc is starting back at pre season in 2 weeks and I couldnt be happier for him!

Lots of testing and changes to usual protocol but at least they can get together to train again for the first time in 10 months.

what protocol has changed?

retail almost all aspects at ds's club....changing rooms, gym sessions, field training, travel.

And this is just for pre season training.

They've obviously spent a great deal of time to create as safe an environment as possible for the players and staff.

I'm happy their going back to it. Not sure our sport (I'm a fan too) can survive another lost season, not all sports have oodles of cash and millionaire backers ready to step in when clubs face bankruptcy 🤷‍♀️

@RetailGail no mystery that male sport has been prioritised to me- male Culture Secretary, misogynist Prime Minister, all the main cabinet ministers involved in decisions are men.

I think it’ll be a miracle if the Premier League/EFL seasons finish really. I don’t want it to be cancelled, but I can see it being abandoned if cases like Aston Villa’s whole first team isolating keep happening. Last year there was space later in the year to get it back up and running, and I’m glad they did, but this year with the Euros there’s no slack at all to just postpone for a couple of months.