First of all let me start by saying that I want football to resume, and indeed all sport for that matter, as much as the next person but is it right to use up a portion of the countries’ supply of tests just so that footballers and any others present at ‘behind closed doors’ games can be tested? Yes you may argue that it is ‘only’ a small number of tests being used but it has to be factored in that players and staff are being tested twice weekly and as reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, that clubs unanimously decided to return to full-contact training and that 12 people have tested positive after 2,752 tests across the league.
In my view, although it shows progress in the return to some sort of normality, and as said by Boris Johnson on the 11th May, “provide a much-needed boost to national morale” among the British public to see live football on the TV.
This may well be true, but you are however putting players and anyone else present in harms way and effectively using them as ‘guinea pigs. On the 11th May, on loan Newcastle United defender Danny Rose spoke out of how “Football shouldn’t even be spoken about until the numbers have dropped massively,” He went on to say, “People’s lives are at risk”.
As reported in the guardian, the death rates of people of a BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) background in the UK have been to found to be more than twice that of whites. With this in mind, players including Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Watford’s Troy Deeney have opted against returning to training due to the increased risk of catching the virus for those of BAME origin.
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, 25, said: “The moment we do go back it just needs to be a moment where it’s not just for footballing reasons; it’s safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff, referees”.
“I feel like once that side of the people’s safety and the players’ safety is secured, and their wellbeing is looked after, then that’s the right time to go back in.
“Until then, I’m. – how can I say – not scared but reserved and thinking what the worst outcome could be.
“I’ve had friends whose grandmas passed away. I’ve had family members as well that have passed away. You’ve got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you.”
The resumption of the Bundesliga in Germany on the 16th May was different and shouldn’t be likened as the country had far greater means of testing and from an earlier stage compared to the UK and therefore were in a stronger position to allow football to be played albeit ‘behind closed doors’.
I am not trying to sound as if I don’t want football to return because I most certainly do, I just want the safety of those involved to be at the forefront of any decisions made and it not to be taken lightly. While I am excited about the prospect of live sport being played in the UK again, I am wary and cautious that this ‘may be a train moving all too quickly’.
The outcome however I guess we will have to wait and see.
