I was quite surprised to read on UK-based websites that the government is saying “the worst is over”, referring to the ongoing pandemic.
Because when I do my daily coronavirus stats check, it appears that infection and mortality rates are still at a high level. It may be levelling off, but it’s certainly a long way from a comfortable return to any kind of “normality”.
And in reference to football, looks like the idea of games kicking off in the near future is virtually extinct.
There is of course the dream of playing the season out in empty stadiums, with players, staff and officials all being tested ahead of fixtures.
And that could become a reality.
The sentiment of many in England is that “we’ve
started, so we should finish”.
Cynics say crowdless matches won’t attract a TV
audience, and yes, it wouldn’t be the same.
But for most of us who have enjoyed the amateur game or watch our club juniors and reserves play on TV in
stadiums without fans, this wouldn’t be unusual.
Of course the whole world is desperate for it either way and there’s no doubt in my mind that every Tom, Dick and Sally would be in front of the box for a bit of live action, crowd or no crowd!
This route would be a solution for the business side of the game and to sort out champions, relegations, promotions and European places.
However, whether it will be deemed responsible or necessary remains uncertain, when reduction in mortalities is surely paramount.
And what about lower-league football that relies on gate income?
How would it help them?
Unless, of course, a percentage transferral of TV funds
filtered down the structures.
Something came up in conversation with a mate involved in the game in England that made sense to me when talking about solutions.
Firstly, have any of you
cancelled your DStv (sport) subscription? I’m assuming not?
I haven’t which I assume is similar to most people on satellite contracts around the world?
Soooo if those who hold the broadcasting rights to football in individual countries (e.g. SuperSport in South Africa), are receiving subscriptions and in turn
honouring their contracts with Sky (who own the rights to the Premier League), surely no one (except us, the end user) is losing out?
DEEP POCKETS: Sky Sports big boss Barney Francis
So why would Sky demand that Premier League clubs pay back the £750m for scheduled games that haven’t been played?
In simple terms: clubs have been paid. Sky is paid. Subscriptions are paid. So all good. Am I missing something here?
OK, maybe the advertising revenue Sky would have generated during games may be lost, but that would just be a greedy step too far.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, transfer gossip hasn’t stopped it seems almost obscene to be talking about £40m, £50m, or £60m deals in the face of such crisis, not so much in football, but for the hundreds of millions who are struggling to survive through the pandemic.
But hey, top-end football lost its way from reality many years ago.
Mind you, given what it is, I’d love to see a cut-price Paul Pogba to Chelsea! Stay safe people
OPTION: Paul Pogba would be a great addition to Chelsea