Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We don’t want to stop playing but if this decision saves ONE life.. we support it NO QUESTION
KLOPP SENDS OUT HEARTFELT MESSAGE AS THE KOP WAITS FOR TITLE
THEY are just two wins from winning the Premier League title, but still put the health of the nation first.
Jurgen Klopp issued a moving and heartfelt message to Liverpool supporters in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
And amid all the chaos engulfing the beautiful game, it was a reminder that lives are more important than football during the biggest health crisis for a generation.
Klopp insisted that even if his side had to play behind closed doors to win their first title in 30 years that would be a small price to pay in the harrowing circumstances. The Anfield boss said: “I’ve said before that football always seems the most important of the least important things. Today, football and football matches really aren’t important at all.
“Of course we don’t want to play in front of an empty stadium and we don’t want games or competitions suspended, but if doing so helps one individual stay healthy – just one – we do it, no questions asked.
“If it’s a choice between football and the good of the wider society, it’s no contest. Really, it isn’t.”
Klopp’s words were the perfect antidote to one of the most remarkable days in English football as all top games were put on hold until at least April 4.
The Premier League, EFL and FA put out a joint statement as the virus swept through football – and health experts predict the outbreak will not even peak for another 12 to 14 weeks.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta testing positive proved to be the catalyst for the Premier
League doing a remarkable U-turn from insisting on Thursday night that games would be played this weekend... then calling an emergency meeting yesterday morning.
But that was the tipping point as clubs immediately knew the likelihood was that fixtures would be postponed, allowing teams to go public on players testing positive, showing symptoms and also being put into self-isolation. The knock-on effects are also huge for staff at clubs – at all levels, from those in the ticket office to coaches.
Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-odoi posted a video revealing he is now recovering after suffering the virus, with Arteta (left) also following suit. Both clubs have put their squads in selfisolation.
Everton, West Ham, Watford, Bournemouth and Leicester have also had issues, while Wolves and Manchester United played Europa League games behind closed doors.
Everton have put a player in selfisolation, Leicester have had two,
Watford sent their squad home after three players were showing symptoms, West Ham are testing staff after playing Arsenal last week and Bournemouth also have concerns.
Once one player tests positive then the whole club will have to shut down for a fortnight – and the knock-on effects are huge.
The notion that football will be able to restart on April 4 is complete fantasy.
It also led to UEFA postponing Champions League and Europa League games this coming week and there is the possibility of quarter and semi-finals being played as one-off ties to try to get the finals completed on time.
The EFL faces a crisis as hard-up clubs rely on regular gate money to
pay their squads and they are meeting next week to put plans in place. No one could have predicted the virus would spread worldwide so quickly, but it has been so severe that the FA, Premier League and EFL felt the need to take matters into their own hands and call off games even after the Government said there was no need.
The Premier League meeting was conducted by video call – only Aston Villa and Tottenham were present – and everyone was in agreement to postpone the fixtures.
They must hope reports that this summer’s Euros will be put back a year are correct.
But even then, there is still no strategy in place to get the season finished – because nobody knows what will happen next.