Neville: Let’s keep football season going
GARY Neville says it will be disappointing if football has to stop again because of Covid.
There was a three- month break from March during the first wave of the pandemic. And some scientists think another total lockdown might be needed in the new year.
That’s despite fans being allowed in some areas at the moment — although it’s hard to see that situation carrying on for much longer.
Neville insists that the sport should do all it can to keep going and is doing just that. He said: “I was a little bit nervous in lockdown about it coming back in the first instance. I didn’t feel we knew enough about what was going on.
“But a big, massive well done to the Premier League for the way in which they’ve conducted a safe return.
“It’s a nonsense now if football is ever suggested to be stopped.
“A number of players have had it but football must continue.”
Footballers are tested regularly with seven positive cases from more than 1,500 tests in the most recent round.
That means those players have to selfisolate for ten days.
And Millwall had their Christmas games postponed after an outbreak within the first- team squad.
A club statement said: “The club’s Calmont Road training ground has been closed with immediate effect in order to protect players and staff and to help prevent further spread of the virus.
This is a very regrettable but necessary move.”
There are predictions of more games being called off a short notice thanks to the new strain that seems more contagious.
And Newcastle have been hit with Allan Saint- Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles still struggling.
But Neville hopes it won’t mean another shutdown.
He added: “That first lockdown was harsh.
“There was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about the virus at the time, it was something brand new in everyone’s lives.
“The idea that football came back was a release for people.
“Those first two or three weeks I was worried about the quality and speed of the games.
“There was a period when it got really good and the games have been good this season.”