Till February was set in, everything was going perfectly in the sporting field. For that matter, even Liverpool was unbeaten in the league and we’re all set for the treble which included Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. However, the outbreak of coronavirus in the Wuhan province of China made things unsettled. The virus started spreading in the Asian country which is considered nowadays as the potential prospect for the aged footballers.
Football is nothing without the fans. pic.twitter.com/kMr8zOqYpZ
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 2, 2017
Further, the virus outbreak which was endemic to China started to spread to one of the hottest destinations of the game, Italy. Once the virus was observed in the Northern province of Italy which is currently under the lockdown, there is no return for the things which started affecting the game. Initially, it was the Serie C players were affected and diagnosed with the virus.
On the 12th of March 2020, the World Health Organisation(WHO) declared the virus outbreak as pandemic and has issued a serious alert to all the countries. With the statements issued by the global health organisation, the footballing bodies of Europe have taken the issue of coronavirus into serious consideration. With one of the basketball players of Real Madrid finding himself affected with the virus, Real Madrid has called the club for isolation for two weeks. This has made the Spanish top-flight suspend the La Liga at least by two weeks.
🚨 @UEFA confirm the suspension of the last-16 match between @ManCity and @realmadriden on Tuesday 17th March at the Etihad Stadium. #RealMadrid | #RMUCL
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 12, 2020
Apart from this, the English Premier League body has decided that all the games will be played behind the closed doors. Moreover, the top continental competitions, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League will be played behind the closed doors to prevent the spreading of the virus. There are chances that the games might be scrapped and will start over in the next season. will be played behind the closed doors amid the concerns that the games might be suspended for the season. Concerning these, UEFA has called its European football stakeholders on the 17th of March to discuss the future of the competitions.
The Premier League, FA, EFL and WSL have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England
Full statement: https://t.co/XcDyzBp4Ol pic.twitter.com/cmYjoY3LRR
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 13, 2020
Citing the reasons for sanitation and other precautionary steps to prevent the widespread of the infection, the most competitive football league in the world, English Premier League will be going behind the closed doors. But is it the right way? Should the clashes between the teams go behind the closed doors? Is football best with the fans or without the fans?
In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competitions matches scheduled next week are postponed. #UCL and #UEL quarter-final draws have also been postponed.
Full statement: 👇
— UEFA (@UEFA) March 13, 2020
The game of football is made from the fans, by the fans and is of the fans. The fans form the most important part of the scheme of things as they create an emotion for the players who are to be selected, managers who are to be hired and the coaching staffs who are to be the part of the squad. And if the things are to be assumed, the players, managers and clubs make money and run with the help of fans.
The fans in the stadium can both cheer and jeer the players. They both inspire and demotivate the players on and off the pitch. One of the major examples for this is the recent game Manchester derby. It was the fans who made the game more interesting. They bring in the passion in the players and demand the same in the players. Though there are many types of fans, the loyal fans are remembered always. One such instance of this is the supporters of the famous English Premier League club, Liverpool Football Club. The club has not won the Premier League title for nearly three decades but the fans have never left them. They have been supporting the club for a long time with the hope of changing it. They have a famous slogan called “You Never Walk Alone”.
The vociferous fans play an important role in the brand building of the club. The more vociferous and voracious fans, the bigger the club. Without the fans, there will be no debate regarding the Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine magician, Lionel Messi.
Though the clubs are not willing to fight the games without their fan base, which is the important part of a rivalry, it is necessary to understand that the widespread of the virus issue has to be taken care of. One cant risk the lives of many because of the above-mentioned points.
The final question remains that should be the games get suspended or it should be played behind the closed doors to get the season going?
