West Ham’s Sunday game against Wolves is likely to be played behind closed doors on Sunday despite an official statement from the club yesterday.
A report in today’s Times says the decision is expected to be made by the Government today following a meeting.
The Times says “All football matches in England will be played behind closed doors under government plans to combat coronavirus that could be triggered as early as today.
A meeting of the government’s Cobra committee this morning is expected to move its response to the pandemic from the “contain” phase to the “delay” phase. That will result in a crisis plan being unveiled for football. The Times can reveal:
● The current season will not be postponed and instead matches in the Premier League and lower divisions will be moved behind closed doors;
● All Premier League season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games will be able to stream coverage of matches into their homes;
● No games will be shown in pubs so as to avoid”
Claret and Hugh says:
Health considerations and the nation’s interests need to be taken first in the current global situation with the World Health Organisation declaring the Coronavirus a pandemic yesterday.
While the transmission of the virus in an open-air stadium remains relatively small, the risks are far greater on supporters travelling in close proximity on public transport before and after the game and in the pubs and restaurants in the build-up to the match.
While the decision may be disappointing to many we are living in an unprecedented situation in modern times and the safety of the more elderly among us and those with underlying health conditions must be put first and it is the right thing to do in the circumstances.
So why didnt they do same to Cheltenham festival with over 250 .000. People in close proximity ro each other and from all over the uk and rhe world or is it that football is the poor mans game and racing is for the rich and snobs
Exactly,
Very little chance of getting CV at the ground but in the confines of homes and clubs where the fans will congregate to watch the game, surely the chances are far higher.
Freeze the PL and start the next season on current standings. The clubs can work out refunds or credits to season ticket holders. Simples.
No mention of refunding fans in the article, have you had any soundings from club in this regard
Same rules will apply to all clubs. Don’t turn a health pandemic into something so petty. I’m not looking for a refund this is hardly the fault of the PL clubs
Although I’m well aware of the situation and it’s out of the owners hands. There’s 5 games left and I pay over £800 for my ticket the very least the owners can do is give us money off next seasons ticket. It’s not my fault that I’ve paid for something that I possible will be not allowed to go too.
I was just asking if you knew. Strange that you assumed there was an ulterior motive for question. True colours and all that. Thankfully information is now more widely available to my question on other sites
And expect the sums involved if you had season tickets in Band 1 for a family of 5. Good to see you are ok tbough,Hugh
Then surely that gives Wolves an advantage of already playing a game like this on Sunday? Because of playing in the Europa cup tonight under these conditions and knowing how it feels like ect?
Don’t take much to get the wingers and moaners out again dose it
It is a serious situation we are in have a word with yourselves
Wh if a lot of players are infected surely they will have to Finnish the season and start afresh with all teams as is in all levels
Probably be the best atmosphere since we went to the athletics stadium!
It is difficult to fathom at the moment, they say don’t go to football matches, but happy for us to cram in the underground every day to go to work!
I was just asking if you knew. Strange that you assumed there was an ulterior motive for question. True colours and all that. Thankfully information is now more widely available to my question on other sites
And expect the sums involved if you had season tickets in Band 1 for a family of 5 are not petty. Good to see you are ok though,Hugh
Expect the loss of revenue will tip the stadium owners over the edge
Thought this would be played behind closed doors. At least I can cancel travel plans plus hotel because I got a booking where I can cancel. Thanks for letting us know.
how do I cancel tickets if they are already arrived through the post?
Boris appears to believe otherwise.
If we believe him – given his record – we are all n trouble. Didn’t he give away to London Stadium or did I imagine it ?