With 120 countries now affected by the coronavirus (and counting), the world is quickly adapting to a new reality. The economic impact and rapid spread of the virus have led to the worsening crisis of a recently announced ‘global pandemic.’ Football around the world has not been immune to its effects and the question is, how serious could its influence be?
This summer will see the European Championships, which - for the first time - will be held in 12 different countries across Europe. At this point in time the Euros is in serious jeopardy, with the bookmakers placing it at 5/6 to be cancelled.
It doesn't look good, despite the protestations from the governing bodies. However, the effects of the virus are also being seen in the short term, with extra precautionary measures over leagues across Europe becoming even more common.
In the present, the world of football has taken swift action in a bid to tackle the virus. Serie A and Ligue 1 are the most notable contributors to this, with the measures of suspending the fixtures, and placing the games behind closed doors respectively.
Alongside this, the authorities of La Liga have decided to play the fixtures of the next two weeks behind closed doors. As a result of this, many are expecting the English authorities to take on more decisive action with the spread worsening by the day in England.
Although, Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal was postponed, the FA are yet to undertake more extreme measures like the other European authorities. This has already been hugely criticized by many football writers and broadcasters alike.
On Twitter, Daniel Storey lamented the stalling of action by the authorities in England, stating that ‘it is a scandal that football matches are still taking place in front of mass crowds while the Coronavirus is potentially spreading.’
Many have looked at the Italian example to serve as a warning for how contagious the virus can be. In less than a month, Italy has gone from having three cases to having the highest number cases outside of China. At this point in time, the number of cases stands at a staggering 12,462 with the death toll at 827.
Euro 2020 is at serious risk, giving UEFA a serious headache if the spread of the virus continues across Europe. On a personal note, I'm planning to travel to Rome to watch Italy vs Switzerland in June and it is difficult to know what's in store.
UEFA have only just called an emergency meeting for Tuesday, where the possibility of postponing Euro 2020 by one year is being discussed. It is almost certain at this point that it will not be taking place in 2020, adding much to the footballing climate of unease and confusion concerning where the virus will take us next.
With a death toll nearly at 5,000 and cases rapidly growing, the sporting authorities will soon be forced to act on a greater scale. We are at the start of an unparalleled impact on Football around the globe, and one that will continue to reverberate for years to come.
This summer will see the European Championships, which - for the first time - will be held in 12 different countries across Europe. At this point in time the Euros is in serious jeopardy, with the bookmakers placing it at 5/6 to be cancelled.
It doesn't look good, despite the protestations from the governing bodies. However, the effects of the virus are also being seen in the short term, with extra precautionary measures over leagues across Europe becoming even more common.
In the present, the world of football has taken swift action in a bid to tackle the virus. Serie A and Ligue 1 are the most notable contributors to this, with the measures of suspending the fixtures, and placing the games behind closed doors respectively.
Alongside this, the authorities of La Liga have decided to play the fixtures of the next two weeks behind closed doors. As a result of this, many are expecting the English authorities to take on more decisive action with the spread worsening by the day in England.
Although, Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal was postponed, the FA are yet to undertake more extreme measures like the other European authorities. This has already been hugely criticized by many football writers and broadcasters alike.
On Twitter, Daniel Storey lamented the stalling of action by the authorities in England, stating that ‘it is a scandal that football matches are still taking place in front of mass crowds while the Coronavirus is potentially spreading.’
Many have looked at the Italian example to serve as a warning for how contagious the virus can be. In less than a month, Italy has gone from having three cases to having the highest number cases outside of China. At this point in time, the number of cases stands at a staggering 12,462 with the death toll at 827.
Euro 2020 is at serious risk, giving UEFA a serious headache if the spread of the virus continues across Europe. On a personal note, I'm planning to travel to Rome to watch Italy vs Switzerland in June and it is difficult to know what's in store.
UEFA have only just called an emergency meeting for Tuesday, where the possibility of postponing Euro 2020 by one year is being discussed. It is almost certain at this point that it will not be taking place in 2020, adding much to the footballing climate of unease and confusion concerning where the virus will take us next.
With a death toll nearly at 5,000 and cases rapidly growing, the sporting authorities will soon be forced to act on a greater scale. We are at the start of an unparalleled impact on Football around the globe, and one that will continue to reverberate for years to come.
What does 3-At-The-Back think?
Will:
Sometimes things are more important than Football. This has never been more accurate with the presence of a global pandemic descending on the world scene. The authorities across the world must come to a sensible conclusion. Postponing fixtures until the summer? Delaying the Euros until next year? None of us are quite sure on the correct solution at this point in time. However, one thing is certain and that is global health first, football second.
Ben:
It took the postponement of football fixtures and delay of competitions for the nation to take the Coronavirus threat seriously. Perhaps this just personifies how much we are invested in football. With the Eredivisie and Liga NOS both announcing postponements minutes prior to me writing this, a Premier League delay also seems imminent. What will we do with our weekends? The feeling is alien to us. A personal worry surrounds me regarding the rest of the season. The run-in is my favourite part of the season: stakes in every game are high, the weather is improving, we would be warming up for a summer containing European Championships. Even the sporting outlook is upsetting.
James:
Obviously, health and safety of everyone is paramount and has to come first. No one wants to go to a game and contract or spread a virus which could be lethal. Yet, it feels that some of the measures suggested or even taken in other countries aren't conducive to a solution which suits all. The potential ban of over-70s is quite simply ludicrous - football is for all and to ban those over a certain age (which include Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson) is ridiculous. Moreover, games behind closed doors takes away so much vibrancy and importance to the game: cubs in relegation fights may lose that "twelfth man" atmosphere which could prove crucial. Whilst it would be disappointing to see and would have long-lasting effects, the only plausible and sensible solution seems to be to postpone the season (and Euros) until a later date.
Sometimes things are more important than Football. This has never been more accurate with the presence of a global pandemic descending on the world scene. The authorities across the world must come to a sensible conclusion. Postponing fixtures until the summer? Delaying the Euros until next year? None of us are quite sure on the correct solution at this point in time. However, one thing is certain and that is global health first, football second.
Ben:
It took the postponement of football fixtures and delay of competitions for the nation to take the Coronavirus threat seriously. Perhaps this just personifies how much we are invested in football. With the Eredivisie and Liga NOS both announcing postponements minutes prior to me writing this, a Premier League delay also seems imminent. What will we do with our weekends? The feeling is alien to us. A personal worry surrounds me regarding the rest of the season. The run-in is my favourite part of the season: stakes in every game are high, the weather is improving, we would be warming up for a summer containing European Championships. Even the sporting outlook is upsetting.
James:
Obviously, health and safety of everyone is paramount and has to come first. No one wants to go to a game and contract or spread a virus which could be lethal. Yet, it feels that some of the measures suggested or even taken in other countries aren't conducive to a solution which suits all. The potential ban of over-70s is quite simply ludicrous - football is for all and to ban those over a certain age (which include Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson) is ridiculous. Moreover, games behind closed doors takes away so much vibrancy and importance to the game: cubs in relegation fights may lose that "twelfth man" atmosphere which could prove crucial. Whilst it would be disappointing to see and would have long-lasting effects, the only plausible and sensible solution seems to be to postpone the season (and Euros) until a later date.