Football is on hold as Covid cases hit the area

TFootballers across West Sussex face a new year just like Christmas - sitting out the action.

Local divisions including those in the Isthmian League and Southern Combination League have put fixtures on hold while Sussex and other areas around it are in tier four of the government’s Covid lockdown restrictions.

They have pledged to review their season’s ‘pauses’ once the government’s restrictions are eased.

Until that happens, there is little prospect of play resuming.

It’s a similar situation for many other sports.

The Isthmian League issued its own decision before Sussex had gone into tier four, acting instead as soon as as other parts of the south-east went into tier three on December 17.

A statement on the league’s website said: “As indicated previously the Isthmian League Board has met following the latest Government review and they have unanimously agreed to continue with the pause of the 2020/21 season.

“Since the initial survey on December 2 the infection rate has deteriorated in the geographical footprint of their member clubs, which has resulted in a much larger number of Isthmian League clubs being placed in Tier 3.

“In reaching this decision the Board considered several factors such as the lack of income from secondary spend revenue, the reduced attendances at Tier 3 clubs and more importantly, the duty of care the League has to players, club officials, volunteers and supporters during this current pandemic.

“The Board will continue to monitor the situation in line with the Government review dates and/or any decision that allows Government grants to become available to Member Clubs.

“The Board has not yet set a formal re-start date, but Clubs will give at least 14 days’ notice of the recommencement of the 2020/21 season allowing them preparation time to stage league matches.

“It is also noted that the Southern League are taking a similar approach with their Member Clubs.”

Although a number of other clubs allowed fixtures to continue over over the weekend before Christmas, they have now followed suit and put games on hold. The Southern Combination said it would review its own pause as soon as was practical.