[Football] Parish v Barber: FIGHT!

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

Besides Barber being absolutely right about neutral venues totally destroying the integrity of the competition, I haven't seen anything about why it is actually essential that neutral venues are used at all.

Good point. It seems to be a 'given' that the police are of this view. I think the assumption is that there is more likely to be a 'crowd' around the ground at home games than at neutral ones. This would both cause a potential problem in terms (I guess) of policing that crowd and the consequent switching of police resources from other activities. Pat Nevin made the point last night on R5 that pubs would be heaving - assuming that pubs are open.

The test on this one is what if Palace were in the Albion position and vice versa? Would we instinctively be supporting the current Barber view if it came from the mouth of Parish?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

What is the thinking behind playing at neutral venues anyway? If there are no spectators why does it matter?

Because we won't be able to turn on the sprinker system come rain, hail or shine before kickoff?

 

[Bozza]

Why is Parish against home venues being used ?

I don't think he is against home venues being used, but it seems to be the approach being taken by Project Restart...

Neutral venues will be the only way to complete the season, Premier League clubs were told during a video conference on Friday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52500593​

 

[Brighthelmstone]

Why is Parish against home venues being used ?

If you were him wouldn't you want any excuse to not have to go to Selhurst?!

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Why is Parish against home venues being used ?

Have you not seen Selhurst?

 

[SAC]

Why is Parish against home venues being used ?

According to a link in the Mirror on Saturday, it is the police that are pushing for neutral grounds and wanting grounds away from urban areas.

 

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Why is Parish against home venues being used ?

He isn't as far as I am aware but that decision has been taken by the Police and Football safety ground authoritiies.

 

[Bozza]

I haven't seen anything about why it is actually essential that neutral venues are used at all.

Principally to stop home fans congregating outside their home grounds, I believe.

 

[Lenny Rider]

The bloke who Parish, allegedly, ripped off, Simon Jordan hit the nail on the head yesterday, they are waiting for the Government to say void the season and then they can claim some of the lost money back on their business insurance policies.

 

[southstandandy]

My understanding was the hope that supporters wouldn't congregate outside grounds thus reducing any virus transfer risks

Yes - apparantly this was the main argument. Still a pants idea IMO.

If next season starts without fans would they consider doing the same thing - 10 'neutral venues'? If not in August then why now?

And what about the other divisions matches - there are 434 outstanding matches to be played across the four divisions - are they all going to be played at neutral venues?

 

[sparkie]

I suspect supporters will still congregate outside neutral venues, or if this is impossible in groups elsewhere anyway.

 

[Marshy]

Principally to stop home fans congregating outside their home grounds, I believe.

Anybody stupid enough to turn up outside a home ground, is still going to travel to a neutral venue though surely....

 

[SAC]

I suspect supporters will still congregate outside neutral venues, or if this is impossible in groups elsewhere anyway.

I think it is more to do with the location of the neutral ground, the police want grounds chosen that are hard to get to, or easy for them to ensue that crowds don't get to.

 

[Bozza]

Anybody stupid enough to turn up outside a home ground, is still going to travel to a neutral venue though surely....

It's a bit of a different thing to head to the Amex on the day of a relegation decider, than travelling to, say, Old Trafford isn't it?

Maybe some will, but far fewer.

I'm also sure I read a suggestion that actual venues of each match will be kept secret to further limit that happening.

 

[sparkie]

Thinking about it further, if the games are televised then there will be lots of illegal parties/gatherings to watch some of the games.

I think neutral venues won't be the "cure all" that some envisage.

 

[DavidRyder]

Someone on TalkSport yesterday had a 'plan B' that he was trying to arrange - for all games to be played in Australia, in a region with barely any Covid cases....

 

[beorhthelm]

Anybody stupid enough to turn up outside a home ground, is still going to travel to a neutral venue though surely....

certainly few hundred, local fans

 

[Springal]

Someone on TalkSport yesterday had a 'plan B' that he was trying to arrange - for all games to be played in Australia, in a region with barely any Covid cases....

Sun journalist Alan Nixon. Perth has a low infection rate, 4-6 suitable stadiums. Also talk that the local government there would support this venture as likely they'll benefit from it in £££

 

[southstandandy]

Someone on TalkSport yesterday had a 'plan B' that he was trying to arrange - for all games to be played in Australia, in a region with barely any Covid cases....

Elon Musk could arrange for all the matches to be played on the moon for all I care. Actually that's not a bad idea...

 

[Bozza]

Thinking about it further, if the games are televised then there will be lots of illegal parties/gatherings to watch some of the games.

If playing does happen in June, it's likely that social distancing rules will have been relaxed a bit by then, with the "social bubble" thing that has been suggested:

"Under the social bubble proposal, people would be allowed to combine their household with one or two others, up to a maximum of 10 people."