‘Making businesses unsustainable doesn’t work’
The Government decision to shut sports venues which had opened up to fans at the start of the month has been heavily criticised by the chairman of one of Pompey’s League One rivals.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony said it ‘made a mockery’ of clubs' attempts to welcome fans safely back.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced changes to the regionalised tier system for managing the pandemic yesterday, moving large areas of south-east and eastern England from tier two to tier three - where the tightest restrictions apply.
It means outdoor sports venues in those areas which were able to allow in up to 2,000 spectators from December 2 must close again from tomorrow, something which MacAnthony described as an ‘over reach’ of the Government's responsibilities.
He wrote on Twitter:
‘Well done to our staff for all hard work getting safety protocols in place for the 2 games we did have fans.
‘The Government just made mockery of that work/ money spent to give our fans a safe space to have muchneeded mental break from this pandemic as they drive everybody indoors.’
Asked by another Twitter user what the consequences would be for ignoring the Government advice and keeping the club's London Road ground open, MacAnthony said: ‘Bar going to jail, points deductions & a great picture moment of me getting thrown in back of a police van... not much.’
He added; ‘People choose to live the way they want to live. Constantly locking them up, making their businesses unsustainable is impossible & doesn't work.
‘This is the Government. Vaccine now here; get it to those who need it urgently/ keep them safe & stop with the over reach.’
Only Bristol and north Somerset have been moved from tier three to tier two.
Bristol Rovers would therefore have been able to welcome fans for their League One match against Oxford tomorrow, but the game has been postponed due to a Covid outbreak.