Page 8 - Deal Round Up April 2020

The Corona-virus Is A Real Challenge - By David Richardson
Football likes to be seen to be doing the right thing and the decision to suspend the pre-
match Fair Play handshakes because of Corona-virus shows that. Do nothing and there will
be criticism so best to do something.
It’s understandable, even if it has raised chuckles among supporters who want to know what
players should do when it comes to celebrating goals – perhaps non-contact?
As soon as the Premier League announced they were doing away with the handshakes, the
rest of football quickly followed – although the FA have said it is up to individual leagues as
to what they instruct.
So before last weekend’s matches we were treated to the slightly bizarre sight of players
walking past each other, rather than the customary handshake.
But there is a serious point to a very serious subject and one we shouldn’t take lightly.
There are real fears for how the virus will continue to spread and anything that can be done
to alleviate that will no doubt be considered. Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City in the Premier
League recently was one of the first to be postponed.
Several Arsenal players have gone into self-isolation after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest
owner Evangelos Marinakis revealed he had contracted corona-virus. Arsenal say Marinakis,
52, met some of their players when the Gunners hosted the Greek side in a Europa League
match two weeks ago.
The Swiss Super League has also postponed
fixtures after a government ban on large public
events, while the start of the Chinese Super
League and South Korea’s K-League have also
been postponed.
There are also Champions League and Europa
League games already being held behind
closed doors.
In Italy a number of Serie A matches have
been postponed and now all Serie A fixtures
will now be played behind closed doors until
April 3 - and there’s talk of the same happening
in England should the situation worsen.
Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. If it does, you
fear Non-League football would be made to follow suit.
For Non-League clubs, matchday income is vital. To lose that would put them under real
pressure to fulfil their obligations – a few postponed games due to inclement weather is hard
enough for clubs to deal with.
Let’s be clear, there is no suggestion of this happening just yet, if at all. But if mass-gatherings
are banned then it could affect our game.
Playing behind closed doors shouldn’t be an option. Instead, the season should be extended.
Now we know there is always a reluctance to do that – just ask the clubs who want it
because of the already mounting fixture pile-up – but in this case, the FA and leagues would
surely have no choice.

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