Leicester captain Wes Morgan is happy to complete the season behind closed doors
Wes Morgan is happy to accept extraordinary measures such as playing behind closed doors to get the football season finished amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Football was brought to a sudden halt last month as the deadly disease cut through Europe, and the Leicester defender believes a return would give ‘a boost to the nation’.
Leicester were the last Premier League team to play, beating Aston Villa on March 9, and Morgan is itching for a return – as soon as it is safe to do so.
Wes Morgan wants football to be played behind closed doors once it is safe to do so
Leicester captain believes return of football could prove a ‘boost to the nation’ during crisis
‘As soon as the government or the football authorities deem it safe, or at least safe to play under quarantine, we have to do it’, he told The Times.
‘It would be a big sacrifice for a lot of people. It’s not easy being away from family for that long but you can speak on FaceTime. And once you’re in that bubble, you learn to get on with it.’
The Jamaican international believes footballers have a duty to give the country something to cheer about amid the deepening crisis.
‘It would be a boost to the nation,’ he continued. ‘Everyone is missing it. I think everyone feels the hole its absence has left in our lives. When this first happened, and there was talk about playing behind closed doors, I wasn’t up for it.
The Premier League has been suspended since mid-March with no return date in sight
But matches are likely to take place behind closed doors with fans being kept away from action
‘Fans make the game what it is, create the atmosphere. It would be a shame if they weren’t able to see us play. But considering the scale of this crisis, and how long we’re having with no football, there’s been a change in perspective.
‘I think most fans would be happy to see the games on TV. And the players know we’ve got a responsibility to play — as long as it’s safe to do so.’
The season is currently suspended indefinitely, with no return date in sight. Morgan’s comments come after LMA chief Richard Bevan said the season can only resume if every single player is tested first for the disease.
He told BBC Sport: ‘You’re going to have to get the goodwill of the players because you’re going to have at least three weeks of training to get back on the pitch at least,’ he said.
‘The most important thing guiding every principle is health, and getting back on the pitch without ensuring fully-fit players is a very big call to make. I would like to see more debate.’
