08 May 2020 06:51:15
Apparently italian teams report some players and staff have tested positive for the virus 19 virus on return to training.
Three players and three training staff at Fiorentina. Also four players at Sampdoria.

That's a real concern. I hope the home leagues here in the UK look to see what happens with others before restarting.

1.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 07:49:03
It's all about money, football and all sports should be cancelled.

2.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 09:16:15
It's a real issue should the premier league resume it any time soon.

Are players going to run the risk of getting infected if it means going back to play again?

3.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 09:39:42
I think its pretty clear s will rise again when lockdown measures are restricted. The whole point of them was ease pressure on the NHS (or other health services around the world) and allow the service to build up capacity to deal with the virus.

We are going to have to learn how to live with the virus sooner or later and football is not immune to that.

4.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 12:17:08
I agree with all of that DSG but in the short term (next few months) with all that we know/ don't know, I'm not sure that footballers are going to be willing to risk returning with the possibility of catching it.

Until levels have significantly dropped, I can't see how football will return.

5.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 12:41:54
Its a fair point angelred and obviously the importance of football pales into comparison to the wider issues caused by this virus.

I was more taking exception with the notion that s increasing is a shock as countries around the world start to ease lockdown restrictions.

6.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 13:01:58
I think players will, lot of people still going to work everyday.

7.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 14:56:34
For me the greater issue is why should footballers receive multiple tests when front line NHS and care home workers aren't able to be tested.

The citizens of the country need to be safe and well looked after long before we start to think about being able to get a sport back being played.

People talk about the financial impact on football, yet football is one of the few industries in a relatively strong position. Jaguar Land Rover for example have seen a 97% drop in turnover over the past two months. Can the motor vehicle industry survive that? Or the high street shops that will never reopen, Debenhams have gone into administration. Or Airlines like Virgin Atlantic that are reducing their staff by a third.

All is these companies and industries struggling or going bust will make thousands if not millions of people unemployed in a climate where there will be a job shortage, with bills to pay and mouths to feed.

Football really is the last thing that needs to be a priority.

8.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 15:27:43
There won’t be crowds, so it won’t benefit lower division teams in any way.

Players won’t have their head in the right place.

A couple of s will derail the whole thing.

As Shappy said, football should not be a priority now. Suspend the season until it’s safe to play games in front of the fans.

9.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 15:59:12
It may not be safe to play infront of fans next season.
Looks like the germans will be starting up soon I will be amazed if English footy doesn't start behind closed doors .
Golf, horse racing and tennis all lined up to start, I think sport will be good for the morale of the country .
As for players not having there heads in the right place if I'm honest I have a lot more sympathy for doctors nurses, bin men shop assistant etc etc who have continued to work and keep the country going.

10.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 16:21:28
Its a tough one and should be a personal decision.
Yes there is loads of people still working but they should only be doing so within the social distance guidelines. Footballers can't follow those guidelines during their work.
Sport is nothing without fans imo.
Can you imagine the crowds gathering at whatever stadium Liverpool clinch the title? It will be impossible to control. That's not a dog at Liverpool fans it would be the same for a club avoiding relegation or winning a cl place.
It is a dilema because even watching it on tv would give some a boost. Plus it would be great to get the season finished.
If pool win it with 6 games to spare will they play squad players to protect their stars? Same with city?
Its a big mess.
Lots of clubs will be unhappy no matter what is decided.

11.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 16:41:13
Much bigger question that shappy. I think money has a lot of to do with it.

Jerd, sure, a lot of people are going back to work, most because they have to and have no choice. The majority of the nation is 1 or 2 paychecks away from oblivion. But millionaire footballers? Not sure we can compare us mere mortals with those who can afford not to go back to work at this moment in time.

Footballers looking on at other countries who are going back to play football and contracting the virus might be thinking twice right now.

Germany have had a fantastic handle on this virus and it's the reason why they are able to go back to some form of normality. But the UK having one of the highest if not the highest death rate in Europe are some way off football I believe.

And to add on top of that, I echo shappy's last line. Football really is not a priority at this moment.

12.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 16:41:53
It will start up imo be a long time before fans are in the stadium tho.

13.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 17:17:42
Angel I belive there is far more to it than any one on this site full understands .
I'm not really going to get in to death rates, chances of players contracting it in an outside environment.
There are far clever more informaned people than me you and shappy .
I'm sure footy will return when it is deemed safe to do so. Personally I think it will be sooner rather than later although I can't see people in stadiums for a while .

On shappys last line, I don't think football is a priority, it will return when its deemed safe to do so.

14.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 17:22:27
should also add i coach a team myself and players can't wait to get the go ahead to get back.

15.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 18:06:52
It's about striking that fine balance. I have no doubt that if/ when football resumes it will be done in a safe manner. There is no way the footballing authorities will risk anyone's health.

However, what will be far trickier is striking the balance between PR and financial gain. On one side the money will always be a key consideration, especially with many teams struggling financially. However, footballs income is dependent on two things, sponsorship and the public buying tickets or subscriptions to watch it. Both require a good public image.

Footballers getting multiple tests while nurses and their families die because they can't get tested will impact footballs income. It is not something sponsors will be happy to be associated with. Likewise the issues with social distancing. While the danger football could pose to the general public needs to be considered. If fans are going to congregate outside stadiums or other venues then that needs to be factored in.

Football will return, just when and how is the real question. But first there are more important things to deal with. People are dying, people are losing their jobs, their homes and their security, children are losing their education, families are unable to see each other, people's mental health is being impacted and in some cases they are being put in danger.

Let's not worry too much about when 22 men can kick a bag of air around a field for an hour and half will return.

16.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 18:43:35
Not sure you're understanding the points I'm making jerd. I'm not claiming to be informed or well versed in matters relating to the C.V. But I think, at this stage, there is very little arguing the fact that the country has a very high death rate. The numbers are there to be seen.

Given those figures, the way other countries are handling it and the caution at which they approach certain areas, it's only my opinion that it will take a little bit more time than people hope.

That's lovely to know that people are raring to play football again, I know that too as many just want to get back to some normality and football offers that to a lot of people.

But I feel that professional players will be a bit more cautious especially if players in other countries are contracting the virus. Can't do any social distancing in this game.

17.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 18:50:23
I think it was Aguero who was stating the other day that the majority of players are scared to back because of their family.

18.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 19:04:25
Angelred it will all come out in the wash I'm sure but there is a lot 2 it . Germany have said they only count people who have died directly from C.V. UK counts anyone who had the virus even if not the primary course . But that's getting of the point.

I don't think anyone has said footy will start tomorrow, but it will when it is deemed safe . Not sure what the problem is .
The wife is actually a nurse I have a lot more sympathy for her working in the environment she has been over the past couple of month that a millionaire football player who doesn't fancy it.
If the government says it is safe for footballers to return to work then I think they should, nurses and plenty of others don't have the luxury to say no .

Shaps.
Footy will return when it is safe to fo so .
I don't think footballers income will be affect because they get tested.

19.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 20:27:51
Dont agree with much that Shappy says but completely agree here. Football is a luxury, that is all. Something to keep us entertained at. How many people are going to put stress on the NHS due to football starting again? If it anything above 0 then it shouldn't be started in my opinion, not so people can have some sort of entertainment. I'm missing it as much as the next guy but waiting a bit longer will make it all the more sweeter when it finally comes round again.

20.) 08 May 2020
08 May 2020 20:51:04
Hats off to your wife and all her colleagues Jred.

21.) 09 May 2020
08 May 2020 23:24:50
Ken
Hats off to a lot of people, I think if there is a positive to this, people might start to appreciate each other. Not sure what its like your end but people have really pulled together here, long may it continue.

22.) 09 May 2020
09 May 2020 08:57:15
The UK possesses the highest death figure by C.V. in Europe. Let that sink in for a moment.
It's difficult to understand football being a point of discussion at the moment.

23.) 09 May 2020
09 May 2020 12:35:52
Completely agree Scooby.

Essential workers being placed at risk is one thing. This work is fundamental to our health, safety and wellbeing.

Playing football is not essential work. Nobody will suffer if they don’t get to kick a ball around the park twice a week for a few months. Players, regardless of their obscene wages, should not be forced to put their families at risk. It’s a contact sport, and there is no way to protect players and support staff at present.

24.) 09 May 2020
09 May 2020 15:31:29
Same over here jred. A whole new sense off community spirit and tolerance. Like everywhere you have people who are not so good but a bit like the smoking ban in pubs when it came you have 90% of people effectively policing the the other 10 so most are doing the right thing as flaunting rules is frowned upon by so many.
Help each other and those that can't help themselves during this virus is the new norm and long may it continue when the virus is passed.

25.) 09 May 2020
09 May 2020 15:41:29
Ken
Completely agree hopefully so good can come of it.

26.) 10 May 2020
10 May 2020 01:36:42
We do agree on some things. That said i'm not sure my tolerance for martial will imorove 😂😂
I know you say hats off to a lot of people but nurses doctors and care staff in particular deserve our utmost respect and thanks because they are saving so many lives in the face of a tsunami of challenge. Selflessly. At times like these Tyne peace nursing is a vocation not a career rings very true. I've been availing of their care 1st hand recently so they do reserve special praise in my book, and yes along with many others.