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Gary Neville blasts idea of st...

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Gary Neville blasts idea of stopping Premier League as 'nonsense'

98FM
98FM

09:34 22 Dec 2020


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Former Manchester United defender and current Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has branded the idea of stopping football again as "nonsense."

The suggestion has come amid rising Covid-19 cases in the UK and across Europe with tighter restrictions.

As a mutant coronavirus strain spreads across England, the game could once again fall victim to Covid-19 with even more restrictions likely to be implemented as the third wave of the virus inevitably gets worse.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football after Chelsea and West Ham's game in London, which is in Tier 4, Neville was not on board with another half to proceedings.

"I was a little bit nervous in lockdown about it coming back in the first instance. I didn't feel we knew enough about what was going on.

"But a big, massive well done to the Premier League for the way in which they've conducted a safe return.

"It's a nonsense now if football is ever suggested to be stopped.

"A number of players have had it [coronavirus], but football must continue. If you see construction, manufacturing, the shops are still open."

Back in March of this year, all football in the UK was shut down as the virus first spread through Europe.

It didn't resume until mid-June and no fans were permitted in stadiums.

Some did return earlier this month with stadiums in Tier 2 areas allowed permit 2,000 spectators.

This was short-lived for many however as much of England is now in Tier 3 or 4.

Neville feels it would be a step backward to see another pause and spoke too about the need for it for people's morale.

"That first lockdown was harsh. There was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about the virus at the time, it was something brand new in everyone's lives.

"The idea that football came back was a release for people.

"Those first two or three weeks I was worried about the quality and speed of the games, because they were nowhere near the level of fitness you'd expect from them.

"There was a period when it got really good and the games have been good this season.

"They are producing good quality games, but there are more unpredictable results which makes it more interesting."


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