Football must stand together during these tough times

ALL over the world football pitches are as deserted as the streets.

The world currently has bigger concerns than who will qualify for next season’s Champions League. But we miss it, immensely. And it’s OK to miss something that is such a big part of so many of our lives.

The Covid-19 situation has brought out some of the best in people and football is no different.

Every day seems to bring news of a superstar making a huge donation to help health services or take a paycut for the benefit of many in the game who don’t earn big money.

It’s true that the incredibly well paid of the English Premier League (and other major leagues) can afford a little sacrifice for the greater good. They should still be applauded for making it. Beyond the biggest clubs, financial uncertainty will be disturbing the sleep of many players, staff and owners.The vast majority of professional footballers are not stuck at home in opulent mansions with swimming pools, gyms, and gardens the size of the pitches they play on.

They live more modestly and for them staying in shape during this period is a secondary concern to paying the mortgage.

Football is much more than an industry but whatever else football clubs may be, they are also businesses.

They have staff to pay, bills that remain due, and often they have loans to service.

Like almost any company, several months with little or no revenue will hit them hard.

The fear is that it will hit some so hard that they might not make it up off the floor.

Enough lower league clubs in England were struggling financially even before the pause that the pandemic has necessitated.

We all want football back soon. Some clubs probably need it back soon in order to survive.

The Premier League, and others, will meet again this week for another round of discussions on potential options for when it is possible to start playing again.

The consensus, rightly, appears to remain in favour of concluding the current season.

But at the same time a few more dissenting voices are also emerging, usually under cover of anonymity.

Anyone calling for the season to be voided at this stage is doing so far too early and almost certainly out of blatant self-interest.

It is a time for patience but that does not tend to rank highly among football’s virtues.

Just a few days ago Rio Ferdinand said: “If it’s not going to be an immediate fix in the next few weeks then the season needs to be voided and started again next season afresh.”

It’s not going to be an immediate fix Rio, nor a simple one.

Whatever decisions are made in the weeks and months ahead, the overriding priority must remain public health.

The game can only resume when it’s safe to do so and making that judgement may not be a straightforward task.

When football does come back, amidst all the excitement and exuberance we must not forget those clubs that are struggling.

However and whenever the sport returns, it should be done in a way that helps the most vulnerable in the football family.

It looks most likely that the initial return of matches will involve them being played behind closed doors.

That is hugely regrettable, and will cause further hardship to clubs with financial concerns, but is probably worth it to allow the season to be completed.

Until then, while we all stay apart to stay safe, football must remain united.

At all levels of the game, now is the time to help those most in need.

Craig Wilkie. Football Writer. Football Coach. Football Fan.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Star