In uncertain times, sport can be something to hold on to, a series of comforting fixed points in a complex and challenging world.
Coronavirus, though, and the fear of it, is destroying the canvas.
The process is on fast-forward. Yesterday’s bulletins flew in at an extraordinary pace from Australia, the USA, Continental Europe – to signal that, belatedly, sport has cottoned on to the public health threat.
The dominoes fell furiously with events and leagues being postponed left, right and centre.
Some governing bodies resorted to behind-closed-doors policies that, at the start of the week, felt revolutionary but now seem old hat.
When sportsmen start to contract the virus – as is happening now with footballers and basketball players – the industry has nowhere to go.
UEFA’s executive committee, when they eventually get their house in order and meet on Tuesday, should have Euro 2020 at the top of their agenda.
They should have a reasoned discussion, taking in the best up-to-date medical advice, and then put this summer’s tournament back a year until 2021.
It would be a big decision to make but the fact is the competition is only three months away. The final at Wembley is on July 2, when the UK’s infection rate could be at its peak.
There are 12 host countries in play at the Euros, all affected to differing degrees, 24 participating teams and potentially hundreds of thousands of travelling supporters.
The coronavirus outbreak will subside but that process is sure to take time.
Little will be gained from ploughing on through these choppy waters. Much better to start from a clean slate next summer. If the infection peak does pass relatively quickly, then the four weeks set aside for the Euros can be utilised to complete the domestic leagues that have been shut down. The Champions League and Europa League too.
That way the disputes – and probable lawsuits – over uncompleted leagues, titles, promotion, relegation and European q...
Coronavirus, though, and the fear of it, is destroying the canvas.
The process is on fast-forward. Yesterday’s bulletins flew in at an extraordinary pace from Australia, the USA, Continental Europe – to signal that, belatedly, sport has cottoned on to the public health threat.
The dominoes fell furiously with events and leagues being postponed left, right and centre.
Some governing bodies resorted to behind-closed-doors policies that, at the start of the week, felt revolutionary but now seem old hat.
When sportsmen start to contract the virus – as is happening now with footballers and basketball players – the industry has nowhere to go.
UEFA’s executive committee, when they eventually get their house in order and meet on Tuesday, should have Euro 2020 at the top of their agenda.
They should have a reasoned discussion, taking in the best up-to-date medical advice, and then put this summer’s tournament back a year until 2021.
It would be a big decision to make but the fact is the competition is only three months away. The final at Wembley is on July 2, when the UK’s infection rate could be at its peak.
There are 12 host countries in play at the Euros, all affected to differing degrees, 24 participating teams and potentially hundreds of thousands of travelling supporters.
The coronavirus outbreak will subside but that process is sure to take time.
Little will be gained from ploughing on through these choppy waters. Much better to start from a clean slate next summer. If the infection peak does pass relatively quickly, then the four weeks set aside for the Euros can be utilised to complete the domestic leagues that have been shut down. The Champions League and Europa League too.
That way the disputes – and probable lawsuits – over uncompleted leagues, titles, promotion, relegation and European q...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 13, 2020