Football & Coronavirus [READ MOD NOTE IN FIRST POST - updated 06-05-20]

Cork Boy 53

8-10 wrote: »

Apologies took up your timeframe wrong.

I think it's a fair worry, especially if they are hell bent on Aug 22nd being the start of the new season.

I think it's fair to have a plan for June 8th at this point but yeah I think we all hope that if that turns out not to be realistic closer to the time that it gets sensibly reevaluated and the PR doesn't play a part in the decision making

That date can and most likely will be pushed back. If, as is likely, next season will be disrupted by another wave of the virus surely the greater priority should be to get this season completed even if it takes until September, October or whenever. I see no logic in running the risk of having 2 consecutive seasons not completed.

Cork Boy 53

Cork Boy 53 wrote: »

That date can and most likely will be pushed back. If, as is likely, next season will be disrupted by another wave of the virus surely the greater priority should be to get this season completed even if it takes until September, October or whenever. I see no logic in running the risk of having 2 consecutive seasons not completed.

+1.

Alot of modelling of this pandemic indicate a rolling series of lockdowns based on the rise & fall of numbers in acute hospitals & ICUs. Imperial College, London indicated such a scenario out to the end of 2021. I think getting this season completed should take priority in case following seasons are disrupted due to further lockdowns, otherwise it will be a complete mess.

wadacrack

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

Just saw on Sky an idea put forward to have double headers with the women's games being played before or after the men's games if they are behind closed doors.

Very bad idea, Womens football domestically is terrible on tv

Tom Mann Centuria

wadacrack wrote: »

Very bad idea, Womens football domestically is terrible on tv

I think it's a bad idea for different reasons. I think there's been some very entertaining games in the women's game this season, but it seem counter intuitive to add another 40 plus people to the mix on game day if you're trying to reduce risk.

Cantona's Collars

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

I think it's a bad idea for different reasons. I think there's been some very entertaining games in the women's game this season, but it seem counter intuitive to add another 40 plus people to the mix on game day if you're trying to reduce risk.

That's sexist

It was just an idea thrown into the mix to get the games played while media etc were already on site in a stadium. No different than the idea of having multiple men's games played in a single stadium on a given day.

I see that now there's a new strain (medics believe as it's something new) that's putting kids in hospital in the UK with respiratory problems and heart enlargement.

Guy:Incognito

rgace wrote: »

It will be very dull wherever they are played, feck all left to play for.
Saying that I will also be watching!

This will be instead of preseason friendlies and tours. Its infinitely better than that, which we dont get to watch much of anyway.

RasTa

Arsenal training again on the news there. 5 at a time, 10 training pitches.

adox

RasTa wrote: »

Arsenal training again on the news there. 5 at a time, 10 training pitches.

Premature, irresponsible and and dangerous imo.

Cork Boy 53

wadacrack wrote: »

Very bad idea, Womens football domestically is terrible on tv

Why do you think that? Have you actually watched much of it?

Cork Boy 53

adox wrote: »

Premature, irresponsible and and dangerous imo.

Many Bundesliga footballers have been doing the same for a while now. Do you think they are also being irresponsible?

RasTa

West Ham back too

adox

adox wrote: »

Premature, irresponsible and and dangerous imo.

Depends what they are doing I guess.

If it's contact training definitely agree. If it's doing so in a safe manner it's different. Not sure of the detail.

Seems premature though for sure.

Liam O

adox wrote: »

Premature, irresponsible and and dangerous imo.

Provided there's no close quarters contact and it's all ball/fitness work then that's fine. If they have their quarantine group and stick to it there's not too much of an issue.

Certain lads on here thinking they can just jump off the couch and start playing games at a moment's notice. That said, it creates an unfair advantage of some are doing team training and others aren't.

~Rebel~

6 wrote: »

Depends what they are doing I guess.

If it's contact training definitely agree. If it's doing so in a safe manner it's different. Not sure of the detail.

Seems premature though for sure.

Much more important is what they’re doing when they’re not training. If they’re all self isolating properly the rest of the time, and are one self contained cell without further outside contact, then it’s grand. If they’re off doing other stuff, meeting other people as well, then it’s bad.

Fitz*

Liam O wrote: »

Provided there's no close quarters contact and it's all ball/fitness work then that's fine. If they have their quarantine group and stick to it there's not too much of an issue.

Certain lads on here thinking they can just jump off the couch and start playing games at a moment's notice. That said, it creates an unfair advantage of some are doing team training and others aren't.

Agreed. And you would hope that they can stick to it too, for multiple reasons.

It looks like Belgium and Australia are bringing in a relaxation of lockdown rules where people are allowed to nominate 10 people and these people are your new 'social' group that you can socialise with, but always the same 10 people. Could this be the first step to team training where we could see a group of 5-8 players and a coach nominated as their group and are allowed to train together in close proximity? Obviously this is a couple of weeks away yet.

Outside of football, it's probably applicable to Ireland too, and may be one of the relaxations we see on May 5th, if there are any. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-which-10-friends-or-family-would-you-invite-to-a-legal-lockdown-bash-11977153

Just reading into this now, and it doesn't sound irresponsible and dangerous. They are following the government guidlines.

Brighton doing something similar I believe.

Arsenal's players will return to light training sessions from next week.

Players will undertake individual running at London Colney, in line with government coronavirus regulations.

"Players will be permitted access to our London Colney training grounds," a club spokesperson said. "Access will be limited, carefully managed and social distancing will be maintained.

"All Colney buildings remain closed. Players will travel alone, do their individual workout and return home."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52428362

Richard Hillman

https://twitter.com/TeleFootball/status/1254698335987998720?s=19

Had to laugh at this and the totally unnecessary roles.

100 commentators. They can do it from a studio, or just let the PL World Feed do it and Sky/BT will have to suck it up or commentate from HQ.

28 Written press, talk about notions. They can write their dross from home.

40 players can be reduced to 32. 5 subs each in a gentlemans agreement.

32 coaches and medical staff. 1 manager, assistant manager can double up as the kitman and obviously the club doctor. That's it, that's all they need.

4 "Lagadere"/Match Day Furniture. Zero need for it. They don't need those little stands for where the ball is placed before kick off, or the stand for the handshakes, MOTM presentation, interview/advertising podiums.

6 Referees
3 Hawk Eye
3 VAR
1 Delegate
1 match day coordinator
1 match manager

They can be cut down to 4 refs. 1 Premier League official, VAR/Hawkeye can be scrapped. All that is needed is the ref to say be on the pitch at 3pm, half time is 15 mins and then cheerio after it.

Doping control can be either stopped or reduced to 1 player per match. No need for 4 of them.

2 photographers. Again, not essential.

In regard to the Led advertising, replace them with the old cardboard cut outs. A handful of stewards can act as ballboys.

Only 1 cameraman is needed, we don't need 50 angles. Or they can set up fixed cameras before the match day.

The figures being bandied about are complete nonsense. I do wonder how we used to play football as kids and it was just 2 teams, 2 managers and a ref.

Shanotheslayer

Richard Hillman wrote: »

https://twitter.com/TeleFootball/status/1254698335987998720?s=19


They can be cut down to 4 refs. 1 Premier League official, VAR/Hawkeye can be scrapped.

Strongly disagree with VAR/Hawkeye being scrapped. Either play a full season with it, or play next season without it. Don't think it should be not in the remaining games after being in 75% of games

Surely they know what they are talking about? Doubt they they'd add in extra people for the sake of it. If that's what they say they need, how are we to know better.

It's a professional sport, so got to assume that they are right.

Liam O

Yeah and sure cameras operate themselves at this point.

I'm sure the people who have paid 10 odd million quid for the match and sponsors who have paid millions for their service/product will just suck it up too!

Who needs subs at all? Just have the 22 players in the stadium and the players can set up all the other stuff beforehand as a warm-up.

Guy:Incognito

Shanotheslayer wrote: »

Strongly disagree with VAR/Hawkeye being scrapped. Either play a full season with it, or play next season without it. Don't think it should be not in the remaining games after being in 75% of games

Presumably there's a set up and it's done aspect to it at the grounds so doubt they're in much contact with anyone

Richard Hillman

6 wrote: »

Surely they know what they are talking about? Doubt they they'd add in extra people for the sake of it. If that's what they say they need, how are we to know better.

It's a professional sport, so got to assume that they are right.

100 TV/Radio and 28 Written journalists is completely unessential. We've all watched games where the commentary is from a studio rather than actually at the stadium and it's fine. 28 Written journalists is complete folly.

I'm talking about stripping it to a bare minimum. Maybe some roles are needed but a lot of them are just luxuries or notions from those involved.

The_Kew_Tour

If Germany and in particular Italy have no issues when they return then great chance that rest will follow in same pattern.

kksaints

Hardly need all that coaching staff or written press.

Liam O

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

If Germany and in particular Italy have no issues when they return then great chance that rest will follow in same pattern.

This is it. But then Germany weren't effected to the same severity and Italy are further along in their curve than England and there may be more of a herd immunity at this point there. This is precluding any 2nd wave mutations which could be disastrous to society.

The_Kew_Tour

Liam O wrote: »

This is it. But then Germany weren't effected to the same severity and Italy are further along in their curve than England and there may be more of a herd immunity at this point there. This is precluding any 2nd wave mutations which could be disastrous to society.

Fingers crossed it won’t but it’s very hard to tell. 1 blip and it’s sets it all back. That’s the worry.

Cantona's Collars

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

If Germany and in particular Italy have no issues when they return then great chance that rest will follow in same pattern.

Didn't the politicians in Italy say that if there's even one positive test among teams on the resumption of football that the whole thing will be ended?

Germany undertook a massive testing regime that's in the millions compared to the UK who have ten times less the quantity of tests done.

My fear is that the UK rush back due to their British bulldog spirit and next thing you know we see them back to square one.

.G.

That's what they've said in Italy. Just one player gets infected and its game over. Season done.

El Gato De Negocios

Richard Hillman wrote: »

100 TV/Radio and 28 Written journalists is completely unessential. We've all watched games where the commentary is from a studio rather than actually at the stadium and it's fine. 28 Written journalists is complete folly.

I'm talking about stripping it to a bare minimum. Maybe some roles are needed but a lot of them are just luxuries or notions from those involved.

One would assume that there are some kind of contractual obligations if a certain number of journos have to be present.

Chardee MacDennis

Richard Hillman wrote: »

100 TV/Radio and 28 Written journalists is completely unessential. We've all watched games where the commentary is from a studio rather than actually at the stadium and it's fine. 28 Written journalists is complete folly.

I'm talking about stripping it to a bare minimum. Maybe some roles are needed but a lot of them are just luxuries or notions from those involved.

Sky have 75 staff members at a live broadcast game.

So doing commentary remotely would reduce that number by 2, while also introducing a second studio crew to run that setup probably.

I'm not sure you know what you are talking about...

niallo27

.G. wrote: »

That's what they've said in Italy. Just one player gets infected and its game over. Season done.

Dangerous precedent there, team just above relegation zone with a game to go.

citytillidie

Chardee MacDennis wrote: »

Sky have 75 staff members at a live broadcast game.

So doing commentary remotely would reduce that number by 2, while also introducing a second studio crew to run that setup probably.

I'm not sure you know what you are talking about...

No need for a studio set up at the ground and pundits there either, so that takes out that and the people who work those cameras and sound and such. Have all games with pundits from a central sky or bt studio. Same for other countries. One commentary team for each language needed, not one for each individual station. A world feed that allows commentary away from the ground. That will cut down a lot of numbers. You could allow Soccer Saturday and the BT show to show goals from the games not on tv only need one camera operator then.

citytillidie

Richard Hillman wrote: »

https://twitter.com/TeleFootball/status/1254698335987998720?s=19

Had to laugh at this and the totally unnecessary roles.

100 commentators. They can do it from a studio, or just let the PL World Feed do it and Sky/BT will have to suck it up or commentate from HQ.

28 Written press, talk about notions. They can write their dross from home.

40 players can be reduced to 32. 5 subs each in a gentlemans agreement.

32 coaches and medical staff. 1 manager, assistant manager can double up as the kitman and obviously the club doctor. That's it, that's all they need.

4 "Lagadere"/Match Day Furniture. Zero need for it. They don't need those little stands for where the ball is placed before kick off, or the stand for the handshakes, MOTM presentation, interview/advertising podiums.

6 Referees
3 Hawk Eye
3 VAR
1 Delegate
1 match day coordinator
1 match manager

They can be cut down to 4 refs. 1 Premier League official, VAR/Hawkeye can be scrapped. All that is needed is the ref to say be on the pitch at 3pm, half time is 15 mins and then cheerio after it.

Doping control can be either stopped or reduced to 1 player per match. No need for 4 of them.

2 photographers. Again, not essential.

In regard to the Led advertising, replace them with the old cardboard cut outs. A handful of stewards can act as ballboys.

Only 1 cameraman is needed, we don't need 50 angles. Or they can set up fixed cameras before the match day.

The figures being bandied about are complete nonsense. I do wonder how we used to play football as kids and it was just 2 teams, 2 managers and a ref.

FIFA are talking about teams being allowed to make 5 subs if games resume.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52443195

Chardee MacDennis

citytillidie wrote: »

No need for a studio set up at the ground and pundits there either, so that takes out that and the people who work those cameras and sound and such. Have all games with pundits from a central sky or bt studio. Same for other countries. One commentary team for each language needed, not one for each individual station. A world feed that allows commentary away from the ground. That will cut down a lot of numbers. You could allow Soccer Saturday and the BT show to show goals from the games not on tv only need one camera operator then.

Sure but you're severely compromising the set up to reduce the numbers at a stadium from 300 to what 260 maybe? Doesnt seem worth it and I would imagine Sky/BT will keep up a stink if they have to reduce the quality of their coverage and put their brand on it...

~Rebel~

.G. wrote: »

That's what they've said in Italy. Just one player gets infected and its game over. Season done.

ah not really in fairness though... if it were as simple as that they simply wouldn't even be discussing bringing it back. They'll have tonnes of redundancies built into it i'm sure to mitigate against spread. I'd say the only time a whole squad will be together is on match day, which they'll doubtless be tested before anyway. I'd say at worst you lose a cell of players, probably no more than 3 or 4, and thats only if it spreads through all of them. Think training in general will be vastly different to what they used to do.

Statutory Ape wrote: »

One would assume that there are some kind of contractual obligations if a certain number of journos have to be present.

Safety and common sense will trump previous contractual obligations in practice, and I very much doubt anyone involved will have a problem with that.

Mitch Connor

i wonder how much of the Sky team are set up and tear down.

If you are using a set number of stadiums over a shorter period - and you don't have an onsite studio or commentary team - can you reduce the teams, at least over time?

Leave the set ups in place, where possible, they will be reused the next day or day after.
Studio and Commentary set ups (in house) are probably set up and ready to go.

Don't do tunnel interviews etc... no need for it.
No need for roaming camera men that can head on to the pitch etc.

Surely the numbers needed for a standard broadcast is higher than the number needed for a more simplified broadcast, from a continuously used smaller set of locations.

On a different note - if a single positive infection results in it grounding to a halt, there is zero point in starting it up. As part of 'project restart' they have to have come up with a workable and acceptable solution to a player being positive.

Zico

The powerful lobby which allowed Irish people to go watch Liverpool v Athletico Madrid will put football before health at all times.

Mitch Connor

Zico wrote: »

The powerful lobby which allowed Irish people to go watch Liverpool v Athletico Madrid will put football before health at all times.

You mean..... the government? That were persuing a different strategy at the time?

What 'powerful lobby', seemingly interested most in Irish punters, are you talking about?

~Rebel~

Chardee MacDennis wrote: »

Sure but you're severely compromising the set up to reduce the numbers at a stadium from 300 to what 260 maybe? Doesnt seem worth it and I would imagine Sky/BT will keep up a stink if they have to reduce the quality of their coverage and put their brand on it...

Honestly, I think it looks much much worse for their brand if we're looking at something that looks unnecessarily polished. A slightly makeshift appearance is right now being worn as a badge of pride. Look at SNL. Ads for Dell, Apple, Heineken etc are all coming out produced and shot with this new pragmatic approach.

Everyone knows what's going on, it's not like anyone will look at it and be confused and dismayed that it doesn't look like it used to. Anything with live coverage is notably different right now, and it would stand out in a bad way if they weren't doing the same.

Guy:Incognito

Chardee MacDennis wrote: »

Sure but you're severely compromising the set up to reduce the numbers at a stadium from 300 to what 260 maybe? Doesnt seem worth it and I would imagine Sky/BT will keep up a stink if they have to reduce the quality of their coverage and put their brand on it...

You seem to be under the impression that broadcasters are not willing to make any compromises and will insist football resumes exactly as it was with no changes.

joe_99

citytillidie wrote: »

No need for a studio set up at the ground and pundits there either, so that takes out that and the people who work those cameras and sound and such. Have all games with pundits from a central sky or bt studio. Same for other countries. One commentary team for each language needed, not one for each individual station. A world feed that allows commentary away from the ground. That will cut down a lot of numbers. You could allow Soccer Saturday and the BT show to show goals from the games not on tv only need one camera operator then.

Commentary team can be remote. Poor Trevor Welch on TV3 hardly ever attended a game.

Cantona's Collars

360 deaths in hospital in England,the odd thing is that they are extrapolating the figure now and say that it's low because of the weekend and the count and they expect an uptick in numbers during the week.
I don't know the procedure for reporting figures from hospitals but it seems like some don't have anyone to send in the figures over a weekend.

So before anyone gets carried away seeing the drop in deaths there's that gap in reporting that needs to be taken into account.
People not heeding government advice could see a rise in cases and deaths in the coming weeks, I'd just like to thank them for ruining things for everyone else who's doing the right thing and trying to get life and sport back to normal (whatever that is now)

Cantona's Collars

June is now being looked at as the time to try to get football up and running again.


The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden said in the House of Commons: "I personally have been in talks with the Premier League, with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community.

"But, of course, any such moves would have to be consistent with public health guidance."

Richard Hillman

Chardee MacDennis wrote: »

Sky have 75 staff members at a live broadcast game.

So doing commentary remotely would reduce that number by 2, while also introducing a second studio crew to run that setup probably.

I'm not sure you know what you are talking about...

75 staff for about 20 odd cameras, a TV studio, rigging, setting up a studio, sound, outdoor production unit, make up, 2 commentators, 3 pundits, 1 presenter, a post match interviewer etc etc.

Do you think TG4 have 75 staff for when they did a LOI game with 5 odd cameras, a host and a pundit?

All they need is 1 camera set up. We don't news massive production levels. Just one camera, set up with the minimum of fuss. We're not looking for production levels, just 1 camera set up and everything else done away from the stadium.

Richard Hillman

Statutory Ape wrote: »

One would assume that there are some kind of contractual obligations if a certain number of journos have to be present.

If they kick up a fuss and there is some sort of contractual agreement they should just tell them that the next time a contractual agreement is to be renewed, they won't be playing ball. Their roles are redundant, their industry is dieing, the Premier league does not need print journalists in their stadiums.

We can all live happily ever after, completely unaffected, if Martin Samuel and Sam Wallace aren't allowed bring their laptops into football stadiums and connect to the WiFi anymore.

Thanx 4 The Fish

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

360 deaths in hospital in England,the odd thing is that they are extrapolating the figure now and say that it's low because of the weekend and the count and they expect an uptick in numbers during the week.
I don't know the procedure for reporting figures from hospitals but it seems like some don't have anyone to send in the figures over a weekend.

So before anyone gets carried away seeing the drop in deaths there's that gap in reporting that needs to be taken into account.
People not heeding government advice could see a rise in cases and deaths in the coming weeks, I'd just like to thank them for ruining things for everyone else who's doing the right thing and trying to get life and sport back to normal (whatever that is now)

From talking to a clinician friend of mine, not all systems are available or as available all of the time, either due to resources to run them on a weekend or other issues which he was not keen to share, despite some slight pressing on my part. The only positive to take from it is that it is the lowest after weekend number we have had yet however the uptick is usually quite large on the 2 days following, even on the bank holiday we did not get a real view on numbers until COP Wednesday and unfortunately many more COVID related deaths were documented in that time. It does appear that the curve has flattened somewhat which is positive in what is generally a very depressing and worrying time for all, particularly those most impacted by the virus be that from losing someone close to them or fiscally through not having any rent to pay or food available for them or their children.

The press conference just now seems a little more upbeat, in as much as it can be with Hancock still pressing the message but also allowing for a little optimism in the outlook. The 5 tests are the main measure and in 2 of them at least it seems to be in a good space with the R rate being still below 1 and the peak seeming to be in the past (barring a second peak), those outstanding seem to be the tests/PPE where the UK are way behind the rest of the world, the NHS capability to function which I see as going hand in glove with the PPE/testing capability but also another new hospital opened now and bed usage% dropping thankfully, the risk of a second peak is the hardest to quantify but good news that the NHS are now making available some more procedures and availability of doctors and nurses seems to be on the up again.

This in line with the June opening date for football which is being mooted is positive for the country but everything has to be looked at through a lens of caution as many things can go sideways between now and then.

Iused2likebusts

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

360 deaths in hospital in England,the odd thing is that they are extrapolating the figure now and say that it's low because of the weekend and the count and they expect an uptick in numbers during the week.
I don't know the procedure for reporting figures from hospitals but it seems like some don't have anyone to send in the figures over a weekend.

So before anyone gets carried away seeing the drop in deaths there's that gap in reporting that needs to be taken into account.
People not heeding government advice could see a rise in cases and deaths in the coming weeks, I'd just like to thank them for ruining things for everyone else who's doing the right thing and trying to get life and sport back to normal (whatever that is now)

Thats been the case every week with their figures. The opposite is also true when the figures are released tomorrow and its a much bigger number. Think from the figures over the last while they have hit the peak but will still be a month or so of hundreds losing their life each day. Thats what has happened in spain and italy.

ebbsy

It will be grand lads.

joe_99

Realistically we have to wait 4 to 5 years before we defeat this virus.

As football fans are we prepared for this? It's either no football or do our best to play football in this environment.

niallo27

joe_99 wrote: »

Realistically we have to wait 4 to 5 years before we defeat this virus.

As football fans are we prepared for this? It's either no football or do our best to play football in this environment.

We wont defeat it we will just live along side it like we do with other diseases. I agree with you though, we need to try and get back to some bit of normality.