‘Virus is a game-changer’

SAM ALLARDYCE has warned football will never be the same again after coronavirus.

“These are worrying times for everyone, with the health and wellbeing of individuals and families the only thing that really matters in all of this,” said Allardyce.

“And I suspect we will be in lockdown for months before it is safe to resume normal life.

“But when that happens things will be very different in all walks of life and football won’t be the same as it’s been. How can it be?

“I think the game will face a prolonged and drastic period of austerity because the financial landscape will be very different.

“Even before coronavirus I didn’t think football could carry on forever with crazy transfer fees and huge salaries for players.

“For fans who love the game going to watch their team is an expensive business, and with people losing jobs and being hit hard by the shutdown of life as we know it football will suffer.

“The average person will have other priorities – a football TV subscription won’t be top of the list.

“And what will happen with leagues being completed no one knows. The modern game is about money and everyone will be trying to protect their own corner – FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League.”

Right now Big Sam is dug in at his home near Bolton.

He added: “My wife Lynne and I have been staying in. We are taking no risks. Our daughter does the shopping and leaves it at the door.

“I’m 65. If I had to go to hospital and needed a ventilator to survive, like many people of my age the odds are I wouldn’t get one.

“So we’re trying to stay safe and protect the NHS, who are doing an unbelievable job.”