To think football shouldn't start again until the crisis is over?

[PhilSwagielka]

First off: no, this is not about who I support. I could be a Watford fan and feel the same way. I'd be happy to give Liverpool the title by default. In the Netherlands, they've voided the season, though I don't think Ajax got the title by default, and apparently Eredivisie clubs are threatening to get the decision overturned.

There have been reports about the Premier League coming back in 5-6 weeks and players training again, and players being tested. How true it is, I don't know, but I don't understand why fit, healthy young men get priority for testing while people working in the NHS, care homes and elsewhere don't get tested. Also, bringing matches back means having to make matchday staff work. Medics, caterers, stewards, security, groundsmen etc. Not to mention that even if matches are played behind closed doors, people will congregate outside the grounds. FFS, Goodison Park is right next to a residential area, what are the chances of Everton fans hanging around outside? The whole thing is a bad idea.

I like football but honestly, I'm happy to go without it for a few months if it means saving lives.

The more that can be done to safety boost the economy at the moment, the better. The premiership is one of the most watched leagues in the world, and generates money not just through matches, but also through memorabilia, tourists etc. Whilst no one would be travelling to grounds at the moment, it’s important for our country to keep the popularity and fan base interested-particularly younger fans, this could be done by testing players and televising games. Even a friendly match between two top teams would be watched by millions holed up at home.

The TV rights though are the linchpin of keeping football and the clubs as lucrative as they are.

Covid may never be over - as with all other illnesses, and lifestyle choices, we have to learn to add it into our personal risk assessment when making decisions about how to live our lives. But the many crises caused by indefinite lockdown certainly won't be over for years; so the more 'normality' we can regain, even if via football which I personally loathe, the better - a little normality might help the many who seem to have runaway and disproportionate anxiety to cope better with life.

@ViciousJackdaw I dislike Liverpool as much as the next blue but my concerns about football starting too early has nothing to do with them. City, United or Arsenal could be winning the league and I'd say the same. But some people automatically see what team you support and assume you're just trying to get at Liverpool.

I do dislike the fact that a few idiots on Twitter are spreading bullshit rumours about Everton, claiming the club furloughed its staff (it didn't, Sodexo are an independent catering company who work for loads of businesses and the club shop is run by Fanatics, not Everton FC itself), that Moise Kean was allowed to go to a sex party (I doubt that, and I hope the club fined the shit out of him for it), that Everton stalls were selling coronavirus merch (it was a photoshop), that Everton fans had a 'thank you Boris' banner (as if, considering what he said about the city of Liverpool) and that Everton asked the government for bailouts (not true). I hate the banter era and people spreading lies just to get likes.

@JanMeyer League 1 and League 2 clubs will definitely suffer as well. Look what happened to Bury, and Notts County had to ditch its women's team to survive.

@Sceptre86 I do think they earn ridiculous amounts, in the PL anyway, but you're right, a lot of players do give a hell of a lot back. Take my own club. Yerry Mina and Richarlison have donated relief packages to their home towns, Seamus Coleman has donated to help severely ill fans get to matches or get treatment, Leighton Baines is a patron of Alder Hey, Duncan Ferguson does a hell of a lot of charity work and he, players and Ancelotti have phoned elderly or terminally ill fans to check on them (one of whom has since died). On the other side of the park, Sadio Mané is a hero in his home village because of how much he gives back and IIRC Henderson does a lot too. Pep Guardiola donated €1 million to a Spanish hospital, David de Gea's donated too. Etc.

I cannot see how it can restart even with testing - presumably the test would have to be shortly before the game and what if one or more players tested positive; it would mess up the game plan at the last minute and put that club at a disadvantage.
And tbh if they have the capacity to test everyone connected daily - a pretty high number overall - (which is what it would need) they should donate that to the NHS or care workers etc

I agree there is no need to put people at risk by playing out the rest of the matches, even if it is behind closed doors. I would have no problem with Liverpool being crowned champions of the premier league. It would be madness to think they could be caught now even if they haven't fulfilled the mathematical test to be declared winners at present.

I don't think we should continue with the rest of the season now. The lack of training and playing behind closed doors would totally skew the results.

I don't think it would be fair to take the current position either as you can't assume the teams at the bottom of the leagues would necessarily be in the relegation zone. Some seriously unexpected results can occur when a team is fighting to avoid relegation.

I would void the season except that I would declare Liverpool the winners of the premier League.

I don't know, but I don't understand why fit, healthy young men get priority for testing while people working in the NHS, care homes and elsewhere don't get tested."
Footballers are NOT receiving priority for testing. They will not be receiving the tests on the NHS according to an article a few days ago.

Also, everyone in a care home, staff or people who live there, can be tested whether they have symptoms or not. People working for the NHS can be tested. The capacity is there. All they have to do is book a test.

From today anyone who goes out to work who has symptoms can be tested as can their families and anyone over 65 with symptoms and anyone else in their household can be tested.