OLE WOULD BACK SCRAPPING SEASON
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER last night said that Manchester United would back any decision to scrap this season’s Premier League and European competitions over the coronavirus pandemic. United will play behind closed doors for the first time in Austria tonight when they face LASK in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. It comes against the backdrop of games in England and Europe being called off due to concerns over the spread of the virus — raising the prospect of the rest of the season being written off. Asked if he would understand were such drastic action to be taken, Solskjaer said: ‘Yes, under the circumstances. It’s up to the experts to decide. The main concern must be the health of the general public — and the decision that will be made we will back. ‘These are difficult circumstances, not just for football but society. We have to do what we’re told and get on with the game if that’s what authorities think. ‘We might get a different message tomorrow or in two weeks. We just don’t know. But football is for fans. Without fans, we are nothing.’ Scrapping the Premier League season could, in theory, mean runaway leaders Liverpool missing out on their first title in 30 years in the most unforeseen circumstances imaginable.
That scenario was put to Scott McTominay, who gave a diplomatic reply, saying: ‘That’s a difficult question to answer. We have to be 100-per-cent committed to what we’re doing and forget about other teams.’ While tonight’s Europa League games between Sevilla and Roma and Inter and Getafe have been postponed, Austria’s government have limited the number of people in Linz to 500, including officials and staff from both clubs. United have had to refund 900 of their fans who bought tickets for the game, although many are still expected to travel. LASK coach Valerien Ismael revealed that the decision to play his side’s ‘match of the century’ behind closed doors has cost the club £875,000.