FIFA councillour says UEFA have “changed their mind” on football season

Add as preferred source on Google

UEFA have taken a dramatic U-turn on their stance over the football season, according to a member of the FIFA council.

Michel D’Hooghe has claimed that the European football governing body “have changed their mind” over the football season after consulting with a leading virologist.

The news comes after UEFA had warned clubs about ending their league seasons early despite competitions being suspended indefinitely.

“I have the distinct impression UEFA have turned and have changed their mind. And that’s a very good thing because lives are at stake here,” said D’Hooge [Daily Record].

“I admire the work of Marc Van Ranst and welcome UEFA asking him for advice on the coronavirus crisis. It’s not before time too.

“In Italy, their doctors are saying football won’t be played any time soon. And UEFA appears to have lost sight of the fact that the health crisis will not be resolved within two months.

“When football teams start training again, I will guarantee you a positive case will come up again. And then the entire team will have to be quarantined again.

“Here in Belgium, they talk about playing a Cup Final without supporters, but football without fans is like Frankfurt without sausages

“And there is a real health risk to the players who will come into contact with each other.

“Let’s wait and play the big games when football is declared to be safe again, with the fans too.”

The comments of the former chairman of FIFA’s medical committee comes after Belgian compatriot Marc van Ranst advised UEFA about the impact of the global pandemic.

Reports claim Van Ranst would be suggesting UEFA abandon the season immediately [Scottish Sun] after being hired by the footballing governing body.

“Playing football in the next few months is not an option at all,” said Van Ranst.

“I have advised UEFA this and I am convinced they now realise this.”

The comments of D’Hooge and Van Ranst also come at a time when Scottish football is uproar over the SPFL attempting to force through proposals which would effectively end the season.

Rangers have suggested the SPFL misled its members on what financial support is available to them and called for chief exec Neil Doncaster and legal advisor Rod McKenzie to be suspended whilst an investigation is carried out [Rangers].