This morning has seen an announcement which probably doesn’t surprise anyone who has switched on a television or radio or gone online in the last fortnight. The already relentless coverage of the corona virus pandemic which started off in China late last year has been stepped up lately as the virus has reached Europe, firstly in Italy and non with steadily rising figures in many other countries including the UK.
Yesterday, the Government announced we had moved from what they called the containment stage into delay stage as people who were suffering from either high temperatures or a newly developed persistent cough were told to self isolate for seven days. However the line remained the same for sports events – they would go ahead in the main without restrictions, a move contrary to the precedents set in other countries where matches have either taken place behind closed or cancelled completely.
This morning though, things changed dramatically and Cardiff City issued this statement . I notice that the suspension applies to Academy and youth matches as well and so it has to be the case that there won’t be any Under 23 games played either.
I’m not going to pontificate about how all of this will pan out, because I think everybody, even experts, cannot do that accurately as we are in uncharted territory here, but I would say that I completely understand the use of the words “at the earliest” in the statement – based on how the virus proceeded in China (where new cases were down to eight yesterday) and Italy, I’d be surprised if fixtures resume following what was to be the March international break.There is still some sport taking place today – the Cheltenham Festival concludes today and, surprisingly, tomorrow’s Wales v Scotland Six Nations match in Cardiff is, as of now, still on.
My plan during the period of suspension is to keep on going with the blog – I’ve not given much thought yet as to what I’ll be posting, but there are bound to be Cardiff City stories out there from time to time even if there is no football being played.
Finally, can I wish good health to all readers.
Thanks Paul not just for that piece but all the other reports which have kept me up to date with proceedings while I’ve been in Australia. I had been looking forward to getting to the Leeds game but once we arrived back on Wednesday I sensed that that wasn’t going to happen.
What happens next is the question. I think it could well be season over and a whole batch of 37 null and void matches to add to the 3 in 1939-40. Keep safe.
Good to hear you arrived home safely Richard.
You may have read it on the messageboard, but someone suggested that, if needed, the completion of the 19/20 season should be carried on into August or the autumn and the 20/21 campaign be reduced accordingly – that’s the best solution I’ve heard so far, even it means that everyone only plays each other once next season.