West Ham United captain Mark Noble has spoken out after the coronavirus shut down the Premier League.
The world has been gripped by the pandemic.
West Ham were in the thick of a relegation battle when the Premier League was cancelled until April 4th at the earliest this week.
With the virus not due to peak for another 10-14 weeks there is growing uncertainty over whether there will be time to finish the current campaign.
Uncertainty as Premier League shuts down
What that would mean for West Ham and other clubs up and down the country remains unclear.
West Ham boss David Moyes has placed himself in isolation after cuddling and shaking hands with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta – who has since tested positive for the virus – when the two sides met last week.
Football authorities and the government have been criticised by some people for the way they have dealt with the outbreak so far.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady says the only fair and reasonable thing to do would be to declare the season null and void (The Sun).
Emergency meeting to decide season resolution
There is another emergency meeting on Thursday to decide what to do about the rest of the season.
A host of suggestions have been put forward from all quarters. One is that the remaining games are played behind closed doors.
But speaking to West Ham’s official website Noble is vehemently against that idea.
“As much as we all want to play, it is the right decision,” Noble told whufc.com.
Noble against behind closed doors suggestion
“There are times when sport, as important as it is to so many people, is of secondary importance and this is just such a time.
“There was some talk about playing games behind closed doors but, for all of us players, this great game of ours is first and foremost for the fans and if you’re not there, to create the special atmosphere, then you lose too much.
“What makes football so special is the supporters’ involvement and it wouldn’t be right to me if you are not there with us.”
Noble’s comments come after teammate Angelo Ogbonna hit out at the authorities in England over their response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Corriere della Sera).
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