Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes it is far too soon for the Football Association, Premier League and English Football League to consider playing matches behind closed doors in order to resume the remainder of the season.
On Thursday, the Premier League and EFL confirmed there would be no more professional matches played until at least 30th of April as the United Kingdom continues its attempts to battle the spread of coronavirus. All games in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have currently been postponed, with the FA having agreed to extend the current season beyond the regulations of June 30th if it is required to do so.
Some matches across the European continent were still being played behind closed doors prior to the widespread postponement of their respective leagues. However, ex-Manchester United defender Neville does not believe putting on games without fans in attendance is the best course of action given the current circumstances of the situation.
While speaking to BBC Radio Live, the Englishman revealed that the situation for clubs to play behind closed doors is still not an option worth risking, “There are a lot of things to happen before we contemplate behind closed doors, I said no on this about three or four weeks ago because I felt that it takes away from the essence of football.”
Neville further explained that the health and safety is first priority despite the revenue loss for clubs,” I also felt that EFL clubs and non-league clubs would suffer too much from the revenue loss and it would put them under. At the moment, the idea of the behind closed door has got to come only after the health priority. Will fans turn up outside the stadium? Will fans congregate outside the stadium if their team can get promoted or get relegated, or if they can get into Europe?”
