Stadiums and Strife and All Things Not Nice

Together we are Stronger

The current outlook is not what we were hoping for. So much effort time and finances has been invested into making stadia safe for spectators to be welcomed back on a socially distanced basis that the latest Government postponements are difficult to accept. The successful pilot schemes across sport whereby the data indicates no corroborating increase in infection rates in the particular areas chosen to host the pilots was hoped to have served as a way forward for more stadia to begin opening to spectators once again. However despite pubs cafes and restaurants remaining open albeit under minimal curfew restrictions it actually appears to be these areas that have previously provided pre- and post-match meeting places for fans that are considered the problem.

Rising infection rates must of course be taken seriously but it also needs to be placed into perspective and life and the economy has to continue. Until a vaccine is found restrictions make sense but placing a halt altogether on aspects where so much has been done to ensure some sort of continuity could have fateful consequences.

Stadia around the UK rely so heavily on matchday revenue and fans being present particularly within those at the lower levels of the sporting pyramids that ensuring safety of any spectators is paramount. To avoid the potential of an outbreak that would lead to the postponement of fixtures and further harming of the individual clubs but also to provide a welcoming and safe atmosphere that supporters are encouraged to attend.

The Government is currently so heavily reliant upon social conscience in fact almost pinning their hopes upon these until a vaccine is found that trust must be ascertained by clubs and visitors alike to provide a safe environment. At low levels of attendance much easier to manage it still gives stadia the ability to survive and strive for normality.

One argument is that an effective track trace and isolate system was not in place at many clubs. However pre-purchased tickets with season ticket holders present from ensuing ballots would be a scenario whereby you would hope this would be effective as the relevant clubs would have the details of the spectators present. At lower levels where pay-on-the-gate is prevalent then the clubs themselves would no doubt have put systems in place if this becomes a requirement to re-open successfully. The alternative could be that games cannot be played; many jobs are lost…and at worst sporting institutions cease to exist.

The leaders of more than 100 sports bodies have written to Boris Johnson requesting emergency funds to stave off a "lost generation of activity". The group warns the future of the sector is "perilous" and urges the Government to provide a "sports recovery fund" in order to help the industry endure the prolonged effects of the pandemic. The letter written by organisations including the Football Association Premier League Rugby Football Union and England and Wales Cricket Board reportedly states: "We require a comprehensive support package for the sport and physical sector to aid its recovery. This package must combine investment tax incentives and regulatory reform. Covid-19 has undermined our commercial revenue streams with both stadiums and leisure facilities closed or greatly reduced in capacity. The impact of this will potentially lead to a lost generation of sport and activity."

Meetings between representatives of major sport and a government team now set up have been considered constructive but the sports governing bodies present were told to prepare for no spectators throughout the winter. Officials from the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) told the meeting which was attended by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden that the ban on fans will be kept under review and that the request for a sports recovery fund is being considered.

The Premier League has already stated "the football economy is unsustainable" without fans attending matches. It said Premier League clubs "using innovative ways to get supporters safely back into grounds will enable revenues to return to all levels of the game" and that they "will not slow down" in their "preparations for providing safe bio-secure environments".

Nicola Palios the Tranmere Rovers Vice-Chairman is concerned that even the partial return of spectators is not enough. "The full return of fans is the key thing as playing in front of 1 000 or 3 000 fans is actually more costly for the clubs than playing behind closed doors certainly for those clubs who have sold season tickets for the current season."

Bill Sweeney the chief executive of the Rugby Football Union said "We understand the difficult balance government faces. From the outset we have been clear that an autumn without crowds would leave us with little choice but to approach government for financial help. Unfortunately we are now in that position.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board said it welcomed the meeting saying "The impact of having to stage cricket behind closed doors again next year would be severe. We will continue to work with the government over the coming days and weeks to ensure the challenges facing our sport are understood and can be overcome." Football Supporters' Association chief executive Kevin Miles said the organisation has written to the government to "stress how important it is that we start to allow fans back into games". He commented that “Feedback from our members at test events has confirmed high levels of compliance with all the health and safety measures put in place and that they felt safer at games than they have done in many other social situations. Having fans at games is of course not only important to the lives of supporters it is also crucial to the survival of so many clubs who play a crucial role within their communities. A combination of revenue at the ground and government support is urgently needed to keep clubs going."

From non-league football and Olympic sports through to grassroots clubs and community leisure facilities the sector fears an existential crisis which could cost thousands of jobs and result in a slump in participation. Pressure will continue to build on the government to come up with a similar emergency fund to the £1.57bn bailout the arts sector was handed in the summer. Calls for the Premier League football clubs to help prop up the football pyramid will also intensify.