Stanley chief calls time out amid fears over killer virus
ACCRINGTON Stanley owner Andy Holt has called on the EFL to pause the football season over the coronavirus.
The government called a meeting with sports government bodies and broadcasters this week over the spread of the virus, with an emergency Cobra meeting also taking place to decide whether measures such as ‘social distancing’ should be phased in.
Six UK citizens have died so far after contracting the virus, with 456 people having tested positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday. Four of these are in Chorley and South Ribble.
Holt said the season, which is due to be completed on May 3, should be paused in order to limit the spread of the virus.
He tweeted: “If I had my way the EFL would pause the season in response to COVID-2019.
“The games can be caught up nearer the summer when we know better how bad this filthy, horrible virus affects the UK.
“There is no case for continuing increasing risks with gatherings of millions of supporters, decent folk.
“I’d take the lead here, I would not wait for others to decide.
“My mates in Italy all say their government acted too late. There will be a cost to clubs but not nearly enough to take the risk. And I’m not in a state of panic. As Henry Ford once said, ‘why have the risk where you don’t need any?’
“The EFL could easily borrow cash against future TV income to help clubs bridge the gap.”
He added: “We should not be gaming this virus. One life lost is too many and I don’t care how old or infirm the person is. It’s time for something I’ve never seen in the EFL - strong leadership.
“Time to get the tanks on the lawn. Older people don’t deserve to die. I’m sick of hearing ‘but he (or she) was old and had preexisting conditions.
“Our parents and grandparents matter.”
Holt is known for voicing his strong opinions on Twitter and has often been praised by lower-league fans for taking the EFL and Premier League to task over certain things.
In Italy, Serie A matches have been ordered to be played behind closed doors, with 16 million people being quarantined in the northern section of the country in a bid to contain the worst outbreak of coronavirus in Europe.
Wednesday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal was postponed as a “precautionary measure” after several players from the north London team went into self-isolation.
Earlier in the week Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said cancelling sporting events and shutting museums and galleries in the UK amid the coronavirus outbreak would be “premature”.
While some other European countries are cancelling mass gatherings or limiting the number of people who can attend big events, Mr Dowden said there are “no plans” for Britain to follow suit.