Ex-Man Utd star Rooney casts doubt over football coronavirus return on April 30, admitting he ‘can’t see it happening’
WAYNE ROONEY has cast doubt over whether football can resume on April 30, after admitting that coronavirus could mean the season doesn't finish until the end of the year.
A tentative date for the Premier League to return at the end of next month was agreed after a meeting on Thursday to determine the latest suspension of English football.
Manchester United legend Rooney is currently training at home in a bid to maintain fitness before rejoining Phillip Cocu's Derby County.
But the 34-year-old fears it will be a longer time than many expect before he's back on the pitch after ruling out the prospect of the season being continued behind closed doors.
He wrote in : "The date set for the leagues restarting is April 30 so, for the moment, we have to prepare as though we’ll be back playing then.
"I can’t see it, to be honest, but it’s good the Premier League and EFL set the April 30 guideline because at least it gives everyone a bit of stability and something to aim for.
"I’m surprised some clubs, like Tottenham, trained last week and that Everton are due back in tomorrow. I don’t see any point bringing players in, even to train in little groups. I just think it goes against what the rest of the country is doing — which is following advice to work from home when possible.
I wouldn’t be comfortable playing a game knowing there were people dying or very sick because of coronavirus and we’re taking those workers away from the front line
Wayne Rooney
"It wouldn’t surprise me if finishing the season takes until the end of 2020.
"Football, like every other industry, is in unknown territory and, just like every other industry, has to listen to the advice and take all necessary precautions. For me, that rules out finishing the season behind closed doors.
"When you play behind closed doors it still means bringing together a fairly large group of people. You’ve got players, coaches, technical staff, physios, camera crews and other media, bus drivers, staff at the ground, the chefs preparing the pre-match meal . . . If the game is away from home you’ve got hotels, travel and all the risks associated with that.
"Football is the easy part. The problem is all the logistics that perhaps people don’t see.
"Most important of all, even for a closed-doors game you need ambulances, doctors, paramedics. They’re mandatory. Police may be needed too.
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"Why bring them all to a football match when in this crisis they will be needed elsewhere for things that are far more important.
"I wouldn’t be comfortable playing a game knowing there were people dying or very sick because of coronavirus and we’re taking those workers away from the front line.
"The FA has said the season will finish so there’s no need to rush. We should wait and think of society. Put on a football game right now — for what?"