Good that elite football continues?

[lake district canary 4,836]

Imo yes.  If nothing else, it is a morale booster that at least something can continue as "normal" (please note the inverted commas) and offer something to focus on  for thousands, even millions of people who follow the national sport.  Yes, its a national crisis we have, but mental health is a very important part of all this and football may help people get through the lockdown.  Distraction is a key part of it and if football can be done safely, then it going ahead is a good thing.  Any transgression by footballers though should be dealt with strongly because if football is allowed to carry on, they are being placed in a huge position of responsibility and the book should be thrown at any numpty footballer who ignores that.

[Indy 3,476]

3 minutes ago, lake district canary said:

Imo yes.  If nothing else, it is a morale booster that at least something can continue as "normal" (please note the inverted commas) and offer something to focus on  for thousands, even millions of people who follow the national sport.  Yes, its a national crisis we have, but mental health is a very important part of all this and football may help people get through the lockdown.  Distraction is a key part of it and if football can be done safely, then it going ahead is a good thing.  Any transgression by footballers though should be dealt with strongly because if football is allowed to carry on, they are being placed in a huge position of responsibility and the book should be thrown at any numpty footballer who ignores that.

On top of this the testing and protocol means that elite sports are probably best set up for keeping the players safe.

[Branston Pickle 4,151]

I’d say ‘yes’ but it has to be under constant close review - footballers and those working at clubs all have families and dependents.

Tbh, this seems to be tier 4 + schools in all but name 

[Fuzzar 1,861]

I just want to say thank you for spelling morale with an e. 

[lake district canary 4,836]

3 minutes ago, Fuzzar said:

I just want to say thank you for spelling morale with an e. 

[keelansgrandad 6,680]

6 minutes ago, Fuzzar said:

I just want to say thank you for spelling morale with an e. 

You can't spell it any other way can you?😉

[Mello Yello 2,573]

I just want to say thank you for starting another football to continue thread......I mean, we've now got all the time in the world to read 'em.....

[Indy 3,476]

1 minute ago, keelansgrandad said:

You can't spell it any other way can you?😉

In these times I spell it More Ale!

[keelansgrandad 6,680]

We have gone past testing now. Its all about getting the vaccine out as quick as logistics allow.

How about I vaccinate Mrs KG and she returns the compliment? That could be rolled out across the country.

[Capt. Pants 5,015]

Footballers are lucky sods; can continue to work, full pay and continue to flout the rules. Perhaps they'll throw a party to celebrate.

 

[Fuzzar 1,861]

2 minutes ago, keelansgrandad said:

We have gone past testing now. Its all about getting the vaccine out as quick as logistics allow.

How about I vaccinate Mrs KG and she returns the compliment? That could be rolled out across the country.

Just a little pr!ck darling... 

[Indy 3,476]

Just now, Fuzzar said:

Just a little pr!ck darling... 

Not called for might be a little needle between them! 

[shefcanary 2,956]

Opium for the people!

[wcorkcanary 4,786]

1 hour ago, shefcanary said:

Opium for the people!

I'd  be  way too sleepy to watch football. 

[TIL 1010 5,246]

I wonder what all those working their butts off virtually 7 days a week in the NHS think about it and the 27,000 laying in covid beds tonight.

[Surfer 1,547]

Yes, and they should vaccinate them all too. About 10,000 doses would do it... which is just a drop in the availability ocean.

[Well b back 3,606]

7 minutes ago, Surfer said:

Yes, and they should vaccinate them all too. About 10,000 doses would do it... which is just a drop in the availability ocean.

That depends on if you believe Johnson or AstraZeneca / Pfizer

[The Raptor 1,573]

They shouldn't be allowed to continue no. They've repeatedly broken the rules. Perhaps a small minority but they're probably just the ones who got caught. 

Letting them continue playing only reinforces their view they're special and can do what they want. 

[king canary 8,763]

From a purely selfish perspective I'm glad it will continue. Lockdown is ****e and sport is a welcome distraction. I haven't watched much Premier League this season but watching Southampton beat Liverpool last night was the perfect tonic after all the depressing news from Boris. 

[AJ 1,359]

Yes, absolutely. As they have the funds in the league to have regular testing it shouldn't be a problem as long as all the players and staff adhere to the bubbles procedures. The main issue with positive tests at the moment seem to be as a result of people not adhering to those rules.

If F1 could manage to move around a large chunk of the world last year without any notable spreading of the virus then I'm fairly confident that national sports should be able to continue as well.

[Badger 2,745]

10 hours ago, TIL 1010 said:

I wonder what all those working their butts off virtually 7 days a week in the NHS think about it and the 27,000 laying in covid beds tonight.

Well I know that a lot of them are football fans and will be relieved that they have something to distract them in their very limited "time off."

[Badger 2,745]

37 minutes ago, king canary said:

From a purely selfish perspective I'm glad it will continue. Lockdown is ****e and sport is a welcome distraction. I haven't watched much Premier League this season but watching Southampton beat Liverpool last night was the perfect tonic after all the depressing news from Boris. 

I don't think it is purely selfish - I have elderly relatives who live alone that are dependent upon the TV for company and interest. Sport - including cricket, racing, football etc provides them with some interest and helps to keep them going.

Given that we are only talking about a few thousand people, I think that there is a strong case for giving elite sports people early vaccinations but in return the sports have to be shown on terrestrial TV. 

I have relatives that would love to see more racing, cricket and football but don't have Sky or the internet - surely something like this would make the next few weeks/ months less bleak.

[king canary 8,763]

1 minute ago, Badger said:

I don't think it is purely selfish - I have elderly relatives who live alone that are dependent upon the TV for company and interest. Sport - including cricket, racing, football etc provides them with some interest and helps to keep them going.

Given that we are only talking about a few thousand people, I think that there is a strong case for giving elite sports people early vaccinations but in return the sports have to be shown on terrestrial TV. 

I have relatives that would love to see more racing, cricket and football but don't have Sky or the internet - surely something like this would make the next few weeks/ months less bleak.

I think this sort of thing is also hugely more important as this lockdown is taking place in horrible winter weather so it isn't like many older people are going to want to go out for walks etc etc. So having something to stave off the boredom is essential. 

[birchfest 401]

Yes, we need something to look forward to and love it or hate it, it is the national sport. I think there are people out there right now who might be looking at Saturday afternoon as literally the only thing to cling onto, 90 minutes where their only worry is if they can keep a clean sheet or if their star striker is going to come good.

 

We know that the clubs *should* be testing and creating safe bubbles for the players and so technically it should be safe for them. What I will say is this; Footballers are humans and capable of mistakes, however they are all in an extremely privileged position with regards to money, the ability to go to work and likely access to luxuries at home (be it just a bigger garden) that many can only dream of. Therefore I think its important every single club in the top two tiers gets out to there players that there will be a Zero tolerance policy of breaking of the rules. We cant be seeing another party or secret get together or attempt to go on holiday from them, not now. Personally I think the FA should start handing out match bans, akin to if they were to commit a serious offence on the pitch.

[keelansgrandad 6,680]

19 hours ago, Fuzzar said:

Just a little pr!ck darling... 

It was always thus. Had to use two of sand and one of cement.😔

[Hardhouse44 289]

20 hours ago, lake district canary said:

Imo yes.  If nothing else, it is a morale booster that at least something can continue as "normal" (please note the inverted commas) and offer something to focus on  for thousands, even millions of people who follow the national sport.  Yes, its a national crisis we have, but mental health is a very important part of all this and football may help people get through the lockdown.  Distraction is a key part of it and if football can be done safely, then it going ahead is a good thing.  Any transgression by footballers though should be dealt with strongly because if football is allowed to carry on, they are being placed in a huge position of responsibility and the book should be thrown at any numpty footballer who ignores that.

We don’t often agree on much but on this I am 100% with you. We need distractions and our morale boosting. Like you say for millions this is achieved but following the fortunes of their football club. 
whilst I have missed being able to go to the games I’ve still throughly enjoyed watching on IFollow. And I find the fact that the games are coming thick and fast breaks the week up.