domingo, 3 de maio de 2020

Premier League offered the chance to finish the season in Australia

The Premier League are doing everything they can to restart the season.
They are currently attempting to play the remaining games at 8-10 neutral grounds in England.

However, with hundreds still dying in the UK every day due to Covid-19, that is perhaps not a wise thing to do.

But is there a chance they could finish the season abroad?

That was a view shared by Gary Neville on Sky Sports' The Football Show in mid-week.

"If the Premier League are really serious about delivering the matches that remain in a safe environment they would move it to the two or three spots that are within three or four hours of this country that are coronavirus free," he said.
"They would take the Premier League players, broadcasters and media over, quarantine for a week or two and then deliver it in an environment that has proven it can handle this virus. There are a couple of hotspots in Europe that haven't got coronavirus which could handle the Premier League finishing."
Neville's idea could soon come into fruition, with the Premier League being offered to finish the campaign in Australia.
English agent Gary Williams, who lives in Perth, has revealed he is trying to get the Premier League to play the remaining games there.
Liverpool FC v Manchester United - Premier League
He said, per the Sun: “I have had discussions with contacts at Premier League clubs and they like the idea.
“I have also spoken with government officials and they are enthusiastic. We are speaking again this week.
“Everybody is safe here. The government has lifted many restrictions.
"We are sitting round in groups of ten, we can walk around and the beaches are open. We have had four new cases in the last ten days.”
And Williams' idea has been backed by Perth state senator, Glenn Sterle.
He said: "I’m watching what’s happening in England with a heavy heart. We want to help.
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-TROPHY
"This is the centre of the sporting universe in Australia. We have fresh air and good weather. It would be ideal.
“We have almost no new cases. It would just be a case of some quarantine for our friends when they arrive and then we are up and running.
“When Gary first mentioned it I thought it was a wonderful idea.
“I’m glad he is getting the same response from the people in the game he has called.
“This is the centre of the sporting universe in Australia. We have fresh air and good weather. It would be ideal.”
Australia v England - Game 5
Perth has four ideal stadiums to hold the games: Optus Stadium (capacity 65,000), Perth Oval (20,500), cricket’s WACA (24,500) and Joondalup Arena (16,000).
Australia has also not been heavily effected by the coronavirus pandemic, with just 93 reported Covid-19 deaths, compared to over 28,000 in the UK.
It does seem a viable destination, with one club official saying: “We go on world tours in pre-season. This is no different. And the climate in Australia is ideal just now.”
Williams is now in contact with the Australian government and Ministry for Sport to get their backing.
If he succeeds, it seems a real possibility that the season could finish 9,000 miles away.

Nenhum comentário:

Postar um comentário