IT’S NOT ALLOUR TASTIC

Survey says... maybe too soon

FANS are split over football’s return amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A survey has revealed that 48 per cent of supporters who responded to an online questionnaire across the country opposed the restart, with 47.7 per cent in favour.

But there was a big wave of sympathy for any players who do not want to return for health reasons and nearly 90 per cent said they backed their stance when asked as part of a survey carried out by Daily Star publisher Reach plc.

People understand the reservations, particularly of BAME players, who do not want to endanger their families and 87 per cent say they would support any who refused to come back.

Reach plc surveyed over 14,000 fans online across its national and regional titles in England and Wales and Liverpool followers were, unsurprisingly, most in favour of football restarting.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are on the verge of winning their first title for 30 years and 90 per cent of Reds fans want the action to resume with eight per cent against.

Their enthusiasm is not mirrored by fans from the other clubs near the top of the Premier League.

Man City are the most opposed, with 80 per cent of their supporters against

SUPPORTERS HAVE THEIR SAY

restarting. Pep Guardiola’s side trail Liverpool by 25 points and their opposition perhaps reflects the mood among their fans that their twoyear reign as champions will soon be over once the season resumes.

Sixty-three per cent of Chelsea fans surveyed, 61 per cent of Tottenham supporters and 60 per cent of Manchester United followers are also against football’s return.

Over three quarters of Evertonians opposed coming back as well as 65 per cent of West Ham fans and 61 per cent of Aston Villa supporters.

Leeds fans were second to Liverpool in wanting football to restart, with the Championship leaders looking to return to the Premier League, and 76 per cent of their supporters are in favour.

Reach’s titles are seen by over 22 million fans every month and the survey is a fascinating snapshot of the football public’s mood ahead of the game’s resumption on June 17.

Nearly three quarters of fans are in favour of relegation and 95 per cent of Leeds supporters are adamant the bottom three teams should go down from the Premier League.

More than half of the Villa and West Ham fans involved in the survey do not think there should be relegation.

Finally, 65 per cent of fans say they will feel safe to return to stadiums when they are told it is safe again.