Competitive sport is back – but only behind closed doors

THE GOVERNMENT has announced that competitive sport may resume in the UK from Monday, 1st June – but only after the governing bodies of the individual sports concerned have assessed the risk, and only as long as there are no spectators present.

The announcement came on Saturday, 30th May – giving those governing bodies in the region of 48 hours notice of the change. They will have to look not only at the players of the sport, but also at a whole host of associated staff – coaches, trainers, physios, first aiders, staff who maintain the grounds and premises – and assess how they can be safe while they do their joh.

Despite the short notice, it is believed that some horse racing will resume on 1st June, as will snooker. However, football will return more gradually – beginning with Premier League fixtures taking place from 17th June. There’s no news yet from other sports.

The announcement was made by Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. “This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors,” he said.

The announcement comes as some medics were warning that the Government may be going too far, too fast with moves to ease the lockdown – and may even be risking a surge in the rate of infection. Police have yet to comment on how they will deal with any groups of fans who congregate outside the venues where sporting fixtures are taking place.

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