Re: Season resumption : Sun May 03, 2020 1:13 pm  

There's leaked audio of Bristol Rovers PFA representative advising his team mates the authorities have advised him not to expect fans to be permitted in to EFL matches until January 2021.

Clearly things will be under continual review but with many experts predicting a serious re-occurrence in October/November, this seems plausible.

It's now clear we are only going to see a very minor unlock in June. There's no chance of any big sports crowds being able to attend sports events for a fair while yet.

Re: Season resumption : Sun May 03, 2020 2:22 pm  

It's a difficult one for any sport, especially stadium based sports even limited numbers then relies on segregation inside

Re: Season resumption : Sun May 03, 2020 3:15 pm  

The govt strategy has to be reviewed early may, so reckon there will be some changes then, talk of golf clubs re opening.
Think even for pro sport behind closes doors testing of players and staff going to be enforced

Re: Season resumption : Sun May 03, 2020 3:23 pm  

The governments current thinking has been fairly blatantly flagged by some pet journalists over the weekend. Unless something major changes before the announcement on Thursday, it's going to be a very minor unlock in early June.

Golf may well restart as it is relatively easy to socially distance on the course. The clubhouse is likely to be under strict restrictions or still closed.

Re: Season resumption : Sun May 03, 2020 5:44 pm  

So the suggestion is that pro sport will likely resume behind closed doors aka NRL
Don't think anyone is suggesting back to filling old Trafford with fans of any sport. But there is a definite push for some resumption.
How that will effect Broncos then becomes the discussion, second tier although gate incomes not massive for likes of batley, Halifax Swinton without fans are they likely or able to resume? I suspect not, would Toulouse have finances to re locate to UK like catalans considering.
Unlike France I think UK Govt want sport to resume at some level.

Re: Season resumption : Sun May 03, 2020 6:36 pm  

Some media outlets are now reporting the Premier League is war gaming the potential for the entire 2020/21 being played behind closed doors.

The lower levels of RL are roughly similar to football's Nationsl League. They have abandoned 2919/20 with several clubs saying closed door games would be financially disastrous. Nearly all the usual outgoings would apply with zero income. Fine if TV money pays the bills but not viable otherwise.

Re: Season resumption : Mon May 04, 2020 4:49 pm  

That's the problem, the bulk of RL clubs can't sustain playing behind closed doors with zero income and zero reward.
What seems to be forgotten at the top end without the lower end of the game very quickly the top end is dead.

Re: Season resumption : Tue May 05, 2020 7:05 am  

In todays paper Rugby Union are saying that, large crowds for games cannot happen until a vaccine exists and is widely used in the population. Eighteen months is thought to be the minimum period that it would take.

Re: Season resumption : Tue May 05, 2020 11:49 am  

RU are making an assumption that a vaccine will be found. Wonder where sport goes if that's not the case.

Re: Season resumption : Tue May 05, 2020 2:53 pm  

northernbloke wrote:

RU are making an assumption that a vaccine will be found. Wonder where sport goes if that's not the case.

At least we wouldn't have to put up with crappy refs