EPL can finish as scheduled, believes pundit ‘Little Joe’
While several English Premier League clubs are struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic, the season should be able to finish as scheduled, according to a London-based Thai journalist.
The situation is not very serious, thanks to measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, said Surasak Marktavee, who has covered the English game for over two decades.
“All players and staff are required to undergo Covid-19 tests twice a week,” Surasak, chief correspondent for Siam Sport daily, said in a phone interview from London.
“Matches are also played behind closed doors.”
While the number of players and people who tested positive for Covid19 has increased, they are about two percent of those involved in the game, said the 49-year-old.
“It is still far from the worst scenario of 10 percent set by the Premier League,” said Surasak, who is better known by his pen name ‘Little Joe.’
Only about 25 j ournalists are allowed to attend a match with photos distributed to media outlets via a pool, he said.
Only a few games have been postponed because clubs strictly observed Covid-19 protocols, said Surasak, who recently launched his book 23 Years in England.
The veteran journalist said the Premier League learned a lesson from last season when it was hit by the first wave of Covid-19.
“Thanks to the lesson from last year, Premier League bosses have reacted calmly to the resurgence of the virus and decided that the season can continue,” Surasak said.
People need something to fulfil their passion during the coronavirus crisis. They want to watch games, at least on TV, he said.
“Football can help lift the fans’ spirits particularly during the virus outbreak and dull winter,” he said.
Surasak said many clubs are not affected by sponsorship as they often make long-term deals.
However, he admitted that clubs have been hit hard through loss of income from tickets sale and merchandise.
On the other hand, clubs in the lower leagues are struggling with financial problems, Surasak said.
Some teams don’t even have money to spend for Covid-19 testing and the British government has to find ways to help them, he said.
“If small clubs meet big clubs in competitions such as the FA Cup, the big clubs have to help the smaller ones pay the Covid testing costs,” he said.
Surasak, who began his journalism career in 1993, has been based in London since 1997.
Thanks to his job, he is close to several Thai celebrities, who have visited England to watch football games, including rocker Artiwara Kongmalai, aka Toon Body Slam.