Closed doors will not mean empty

SO how closed are these closed doors going to be?

There is talk of sport resuming — no matter how optimistic that might seem — but it is likely to be behind closed doors.

But how many people will still be in the arena or stadium for a closed game?

One thing is sure — it will not just be the players and the whistleblower.

For a rugby match there are 23 players in each squad.

Throw in a dozen management — the Chiefs have seven coaches, after all — and quickly you can probably get to 70 people.

The refereeing panel numbers half a dozen and then there will have to be medical staff.

Noone will be paying to sit in the stands but an official or 10 from the ground will still have to be there. Then the owners of the team and the top brass will want to be watching as they are very important.

There are, of course, the broadcasters who number near a couple of dozen, although many are stationed outside the ground in a van.

Security will be there as is the way in these health and safety days.

Then there are the members of the media who will want to be at the game and talk to the coach afterwards.

So it will quickly add up and it may be well above 100. Is that too many for a closed game?

Then ask another question: is Forsyth Barr Stadium with its covered roof an indoor or outdoor venue? It has a roof but sitting there in the middle of July it hardly feels indoors.

Inside gatherings during Level 2 must not be any more than 100.

Some tough calls are going to have to be made on who can attend.

In the United Kingdom, West Ham vicechairman Karren Brady estimated at least 300 people will be required in Premier League stadiums even if games are played without fans.