The current climate is difficult for football clubs. Social distancing has put tremendous strain on a system of billionaires that supports millionaires. At the lower rungs of the game, finances are on a precipice. Some operations might not come back from a prolonged hibernation.
… but this is just football.
At the top of the game, though revenue forecasts are bleak, there are plenty of levers megaclubs can pull. Factor in the value of elite-level football, at the very worst, you know a huge TV deal will drop care packages when the game comes back on track.
The real crisis is with the people. Millions look set to lose their jobs. Plenty will drop down to part-time levels. Others are facing the nightmare of prolonged furloughs. Small businesses are weighing up whether their future is a viable one as banks attempt to gouge them with disgraceful interest rates.
… people are also sick and dying.
The picture I’m painting here should set the tone for elite-level football clubs. Their main priority right now should be doing right by the community. Don’t give anyone an opportunity to say you took advantage of the situation. Don’t do anything that looks greedy.
So what did Spurs Chairman do? He gave 550 employees a 20% hair cut on their salaries, potentially taking advantage of up to £2m a month in government furlough cash. To make matters worse, Spurs owner is a tax exile.
To make matters worse, he didn’t cut the salaries of the players or the management team. Can you believe that? He took from the not so well off and kept his talent going at 100%. An unbelievably bad look for a club that looks to imbue community values.
I saw someone rallying against publications that tell you how many NHS things can be bought with the salaries of footballers yesterday. Apparently, this is the latest thing to get angry about, because it’s an attack on working-class who found the holy grail of social mobility. Fuck right off. Footballers are no more working-class than Leonardo Dicaprio. They are just as disconnected from reality as the blue-chip CEOs of Wall Street. Nothing clarified that more for me than listening to Harry Kane, mid-global pandemic, telling the world he might leave Spurs.
I’m not sure what my point was? Oh yes. Where the fuck is the leadership from the Premier League players at this moment? The UK citizens are making HUGE sacrifices in the name of national health and our players are twiddling their thumbs?
Where is our Lio Messi? I know he’s one of the wealthiest athletes on the planet, but not only did he take a 70% pay cut, he demanded that Barcelona pay the non-sport staff their full package. I love that. It shows some awareness, some empathy, and some much needed common sense in sport. Elite level clubs should not be dipping into Government funds at the minute, that bailout money isn’t for orgs that can afford to pay over 50 of their staff £500k+ a year.
The players in the UK should take this opportunity to reconnect with reality for 3 months. Help fund the little guys. The big clubs should help support the little clubs like they’re doing in Germany. This from The Guardian.
Dortmund said the four clubs, who participated in the Champions League this season, will forego their share of the national media revenue – approximately €12.5m – and add €7.5m of their own.
“We are prepared to help out other professional football clubs if it is ultimately a matter of cushioning the financial effects of the pandemic,” Dortmund’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke
The German system is far more egalitarian. Fan ownership is more prominent, tickets are more about the experience than the profit, and I think clubs are far more socially responsible. It also helps that most of the owners, even when it’s a brand, are German. That means there should, at least in theory, there should be similar cultural values and norms. If there is a cultural thread that connects you, you are more likely to behave like a collective and support other clubs in times of need.
In the UK we have a collection of billionaires all working for different means. Abu Dhabi, America, Russia, Uzbekistan… coming together for the greater good? Those are 4 very different cultures with wildly different visions of morality and ethics. Can we ever structure our game like the Germans? I think that horse has bolted, which is unfortunate.
Pulling this back home, someone needs to take a lead. The last thing footballers and clubs need to do in this environment is repulse the fans with greedy behaviour. We need to see swift action and a united front that sees an action comparable to the nations sacrifice.
This is a chance for beloved community beacons to show the world that football is still about the people, let’s hope Arsenal continue to shine, and let’s hope Spurs are shamed into rectifying their disgraceful moves of the last day.
P.S. I banged out a podcast with Nigel Phillips of the AST. He’s an expert on football finance and sits in the same block I do when I’m back in the UK. Take a listen and join the AST if you get the chance.
Boom
2
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Trofee
Spurs have always been useless
They are currently useless
They will always be useless.
This is the norm for them.
But did you read the post Boomslang?
I did Azed
Daniel Levy is a sicko.No fit for purpose.
Pedro
I didn’t defend Daniel Levi per se
I stated that he was cowardly and pathetic for him to furlough non-paying staff so that he can extract 80% of their wages from the public purse.
The bonus issue for building a stadium is different. I have no problem for him deferring collecting the bonus for a quantifiable improvement of his club.
No yellow card for me though. You wee all over Pochetinno when he was managing spuds, remember?
Pedro
You’ll recall I’ve been lamenting for days that there’s no leadership in English football regarding this issue of players still collecting full salaries while their club’s revenue base is frozen.
The top German clubs got a pay cut from players to donate to the lower league clubs so that they can stay in business. There won’t be a top elite level is the lower league system is rendered useless by this covid-19 pandemic.
Dissenter, really hope the Premier League clubs think beyond their Ivory Tower, would be tragic to lose a chunk of clubs to this.
Pedro
Are you still in NYC?
Stay safe please. It seems to be ground zero over there.
Pedro, at last a valuable and relevant topic since this pandemic nightmare started. It should all be about community and sacrifices at the moment and most likely for the foreseeable future Rich footballers have to come to their senses for their own sake if it’s not for the community and the whole world wellbeing. They should donate at least 50% of their wages to the healthcare system that keep them and their loved ones safe. They should give up another 25% so the clubs can pay all those poor supporting staff and their families and take the burden from the… Read more »
“The bonus issue for building a stadium is different. I have no problem for him deferring collecting the bonus for a quantifiable improvement of his club.”
Daniel Levy got a bonus for building the stadium?
Seriously?
Whilst I understand Pedro’s disgust for Levy’s actions I am amused that he’s surprised by them.
Daniel Levy is a useless cunt of the highest order. He’s done this to try and buy some loyalty out of players like Kane because he knows when one of them jumps it’ll be a rush to get out of the door.
Marc
I know we all love to hate on spuds, you speak to that everyday.
That said, you don’t think a CEO should get a bonus for building a stadium on the same site as the old one in reasonably good time, even when adjusted for the calamitous delays they had.
You’ll probably say it’s over-budget but most big projects build in contingencies for going over the budget.
Dissenter
Mate – if you had heard the rumours (many of which were true) that were going round the construction trade in London about the number of avoidable fuck ups you’d be with me.
There’s a possibility that Daniel Levi is trying to use the drastic [and cowardly] furloughing of non-playing staff to pressure the players into taking cuts.
Sours are not the only ones doing it. Newcastle and Norwich appear to have done the same and I won’t be surprised if other clubs follow suit.
Businesses are always seeking loopholes to be benefit themselves. Surely self avowed conservatives like Marc and Unai nai shouldn’t a problems with that furloughing.
“You’ll probably say it’s over-budget but most big projects build in contingencies for going over the budget.”
That was his biggest mistake – it’s usual good practice to build in penalty clauses into construction project but because Levy decided to over see the project himself rather than pay for a professional to do it no penalty clauses were introduced. I reckon that alone has cost them hundreds of millions.
Dissenter
If it came out a major investment bank had cut the salaries of the cleaners and other low paid staff whilst still paying the full salaries or bonuses of the traders and the board they’d rightly be an outcry – that’s what we’re talking about with the Spud’s.
Marc
I actually think some of the glitches they had were somewehat unavoidable.
They weren’t just building a concrete fish bowl like the Emirates that Chinese building companies are constructing all over Africa for 50-100 million USD.
They had an ambitious approach to that stadium [hate them as much as you want, I’ll join you]. It was a muti-use pitch, expandable stands, a single tier stand that can seat 17,500, etc. There will be delays when you attempt to do so much. Had they gone small like Arsenal, it would have been done faster.
In the UK we have a collection of billionaires all working for different means. Abu Dhabi, America, Russia, Uzbekistan… coming together for the greater good? Those are 4 very different cultures with wildly different visions of morality and ethics.
————
Are they though, Pedro?
Don’t know any billionaires personally but just from observation most of them seem to have similar visions of morality and ethics.
I agree with the lack of penalty clauses though but I’m not so sure they will have small bids for that stadium.
Daniel Levi is notoriously hard headed so builders would have been wary of a stubborn fellow asking for too much too quickly.
Dissenter
A lot of the penalty clauses are based on timing overruns. It stops a subcontractor quoting on a job that’ll take 3 days and then suddenly turning it into 2 weeks.
That kind of thing was actually happening. Why would you hurry up if you’re being paid £400 a day with no comeback?
Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since world war 2
The premier league is still living in la la land.
Cancel the season, Liverpool can wait for another 30 years
Marc,
Who are you and what have you done with the real Marc, you lefty scum ?
🙂
Dissenter
They had thousands of seats delivered that were the wrong shade of blue.
There will always be cock ups and delays but most of this was pure incompetence.
Marc Penalty clauses make a lot of sense and ought to have been deployed It’s just that clauses have get-out clauses too if the owner of the project changes his or her mind i.e deviates from the original plan. My Levi is the type of guy that will change his mind all the time. Donald Trump had that reputation too in the NYC construction circles. He stiffed many people of their fees because they couldn’t cope with his constant tweaking of the project. He would sue them first knowing fully well they won’t have his deep pockets for a drawn… Read more »
Tom
It’s not about politics it’s about private employees now being paid by the state – under these unheard of circumstance everyone should be treated the same with any single organisation. If a company is topping up the 20% for one type of employee shouldn’t it do the same for all?
Dissenter
Companies made a fortune out of this – more than they ever expected to. I’ve spoken to sub contractors who were boasting about what they were getting away with.
Marc
Why didn’t the politicians write in exceptions to the furlough rule.
Over here, Politicians intentionally write in holes in bills because they are influenced by lobbyists.
You can sue a doctor for malpractice of a gun shot wound, sue the shooter civilly if it an accident but the gun manufacturer is fully exempted from litigation.
I struggle to blame business using loopholes to benefit themselves, Nothing stops the UK government from revising the rules tomorrow.
Dissenter
I have no idea – it might be a pure oversight, it might be an assumption that companies are going to be even handed because the backlash will be damaging.
High profiles situations like this will draw attention to it though.
” but the gun manufacturer is fully exempted from litigation.”
Daft argument that’s like saying you’re going to sue Ford because someone was driving one of their cars to fast. Just an excuse to hide away from personal responsibility.
Ebening people, hope your all staying in and somewhat buzzed if you fancy that sort of thing.
Footie seems an obscene luxury at moment, canceling season isn’t a hard decision to make with whats unfolding out there.
Marc No , it’s not a daft argument Automobile manufacturers don’t have full imunity. They get sues successfully thousands of times all over America. How do you think seat belts and airbags came about? They were driven by litigation related pressure. There are hundred of recalls on cars in the USA every year, if any of those glitches lead to an accident, you damn well bet your last penny that Ford or GM will get sued successfully. I actually think your criticism of this singular issue is a bit dim and not well thought-out. Using your flawed logic, big tobacco… Read more »
*get sued
Its the nature of the beast, lubricate and enjoy the ride.
Im telling you this for free!
There are many players who I’m sure do a lot of good not always in the public eye .But then that can be ruined in the blink of an eye by the stereo typical prem footballer who does exactly what we expect.stand up & take a bow son.i give you Jack Grealish…………
> Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since world war 2
Whoop whooooop …
> Cancel the season, Liverpool can wait for another 30 years
https://youtu.be/m7BeQM_m9mQ
Ozil rolling around in his 1.4 mil per month throwing money up in the air, laughing.
They couldn’t give a rats arse about anyone else.
The lower leagues teams meanwhile are going bust.
The FA and the Premiership are full of overpaid employees and directors, who like the players are rolling in it.
Meanwhile we the tax payers are expected to pick up the bills.
Spanishdave
I would not be too critical of Ozil.
Leaving aside the obscene salary being paid to him Ozil has a reputation of being
one of the most charitable players in world football making very large donations
to a number of causes.
Just reputation ?
Are there facts?
If the lower clubs don’t get help they are done for.
They could all be more transparent and forthcoming.
Too busy looking For their next Super car.
Spanish Dave It’s a well known fact Ozil donated to a hospital for life changing operations for children. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/48554743 He is a generous guy with his time and money. The truth is we don’t really know what footballers have donated what and to what cause. Lots of famous people are the same. I think it only became public knowledge after George Michael passed away that he donated constantly anonymously to thousands of gofundme donation pages. It is obviously different when you are Spurs and you declare publicly that you are not paying your non playing staff. Them and any other… Read more »
cabin fever yet lads?
the global economy the whole system going down just like that
the impact on health is one thing
but once we managed to get through it
what is the repercussion then?
worldwide depression
the race to gain resources both domestic and international
you never know when people get really desperate
chaos ensue
lol Spuds will find new ways of being shit at any time. Hope they will get bankrupt and relegated. Also more pain for Moureen.
Im still working. BC is still ok atm.
Dissenter “Marc No , it’s not a daft argument Automobile manufacturers don’t have full imunity. They get sues successfully thousands of times all over America. How do you think seat belts and airbags came about? They were driven by litigation related pressure. There are hundred of recalls on cars in the USA every year, if any of those glitches lead to an accident, you damn well bet your last penny that Ford or GM will get sued successfully. I actually think your criticism of this singular issue is a bit dim and not well thought-out. Using your flawed logic, big… Read more »
You seem to have an issue with self control and self responsibility – not really surprised those with a leftist mentality never think it’s their own fault or that they should take responsibility for anything.
———
And just like that the real Marc is back
Tom
Did you see what started this conversation?
Sigh. Can’t even be bothered to comment nowadays, there’s nothing to discuss.
See you lads when the season starts up again.
I I wonder what spurs former owner and labour man mr sugar says about uncle joe playing this move.
I just watched Arsenal’s dramatic win at Anfield in ’89 to clinch the title.
You know if that was Wenger Arsenal would have conceded after Thomas’s late late goal.
RSPC
You mean Lord Sugar the Labour Peer?
Yes Marc…
I wonder what his take is on it.
All club must introduce a structured pay cut, if your on over 100,000 a week 50 per cent
Over 50k a week 30 per cent per week.
Up to 30k not affected .
I just watched Arsenal’s dramatic win at Anfield in ’89 to clinch the title. You know if that was Wenger Arsenal would have conceded after Thomas’s late late goal.” HA! You’re right. Brings me in mind of the Champions League tie QF in 2008 with Liverpool, I thought we had won it on away goals after the Adebayor tap in on 84 mins, I was leaping around my living room only to watch us, in horror, contrive to concede two more goals, one from a penalty before the end of the match. But also has me in mind of that… Read more »
Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1 2011 Kuyt spot-on for Reds to dent Arsenal’s title hopes Dirk Kuyt’s dramatic late penalty earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw at Arsenal to seriously dent Arsenal’s title hopes. Robin van Persie’s last-gasp penalty looked to have earned Arsenal a vital win but with the final kick of the game Kuyt secured a point for Liverpool to leave the Gunners’ title hopes in tatters. In a dramatic last few minutes both sides were awarded penalties just when it looked like it would end goalless. Van Persie scored from the spot in the eighth minute of stoppage time… Read more »
It is very difficult to ascertain how generous anyone is with their money when donating to charity. Mostly money from high earners is donated as a tax right off. Give the money to a registered charity rather than the tax man and look like a top bloke!
Dissenter, Most of overspend cost on the Spurs stadium are due to pure hubris by Daniel Levy who thought that he could manage such a complex project better than well established professional. He made every mistakes possible: + Negotiate a contract without time based penalty clause, despite having time constraint with penalty clause with the NFL with regard to the availability of the stadium + Have a pay as you work contract rather than a fixed fee. There is no incentive to work faster if you are paid already the top daily rate in your domain. Sub contractors just stretched… Read more »
Marc I’m a bit taken aback by your broad sided insults to be honest. I’m not a leftist and practice in an occupation where my liability insurance is in five figure. I live in trepidation of litigation everyday and I absolutely detest attorneys. I’ve never heard any rationale person question why Gun manufacturers should be immune from prosecution like any other industry. The same way auto makers and big tobacco were sue-able, gun manufactures should be exposed in the same manner because they too skirt the laws related to distribution and marketing. You don’t know these because you don’t live… Read more »
RSPC,
Most companies have such laddered approach to wage reduction.
Asking somebody who is barely making the living wage to take a 20% pay cut is not the same than asking a multi millionaire.
Also if you are earning £100kpw and you can’t survive for six month on your past saving, I would seriously call my financial advisor.
Either you are seriously overstretched or somebody is robbing you blind.
Valentin
I’m glad to know that you were employed to do an audit of the spuds stadium.
I’ve never seen an major project of that magnitude in the western world that didn’t have glitches. Maybe the Chinese or Koreans would have built it right the first time in record time, not in the US or Europe. Cost over runs are very common.
How much was Wembley supposed to cost and they still designed the retractile roof with a gap to let in rain!
Marc
You’re funny though.
You think anyone who smoked [pre-litigation] didn’t know the risks?
To think you’re espousing personal responsibility, you’re really funny. You bought into the Plaintiff story too much. It was common scientific knowledge that tobacco causes from the 1940s and 1950s that Cigarettes causes lung cancer even though big Tobacco was dismissive. It was established science. The same way Gun manufacturers in the US have spread the myth of the gun isn’t the problem.
Handing out money to corporations CANNOT overcome major structural dislocations which the same corporations have created.
Im telling you this for free!
Levy is a tnuc no doubt about that, but don’t be surprised when you log on Monday to find Kroenke has ordered a similar approach. This is how these bastards operate, privatise the profits and socialise the losses.
Dissenter, The points that I wrote have been well detailed by investigative journalists. Regarding the poaching their own workers, I can testify to that. The brother of one my former colleague is a electrical engineer and doubled his daily rate by changing employer without actually changing job. Also his initial contract was renewed and extended because he had to check work completed by people who did not have the official qualifications. Overrun cost are common on the building sector, but not to that extend. More than 40% over budget! people get sacked for less. Here most contractors made extra money… Read more »
I like the idea of a closed door midland based tournament, however even July and August seems like a stretch. The logistics involved between players, club staff, medical personnel, TV and media are enormous. Even if in term of contamination UK follow a better trajectory than Italy (which currently it is not), the start of inflection point is not expected before mid May. So that would leave only 1 month to physically execute the plan into place. Instead of trying to delay the inevitable, the Premiership and the English league should void the current season and start working on the… Read more »
I would imagine if you reduce the wage of a player it presents quite a legal challenge whereas reducing the wage of someone on 18k a year is much easier.
Players are harder to replace if they walk away due to breach of contract too.
Only way player wages come down is by consent.
That A. Sanches is making 1,1 mill in loyalty bonuses from a failed tenure
in Milan says it all.. Things are totally out of order!!
I would Arsenal to set an example to others by announcing say an 80% cut in wages to all of their highest earners. It is a time for people to show decency.
Spuds were buying up land, properties and businesses in the surrounding area about twenty years ago to make room for their new stadium
This has taken much longer and cost a lot more than they would like to admit
Dissenter
I enjoy cooking and have a set of good quality knives including an 8″ chefs knife – if I was to use this to kill someone should the manufacturer of the knife be liable?
Bob “””I would like Arsenal to set an example to others by announcing say an 80% cut in wages to all of their highest earners. It is a time for people to show decency.””” Well said Bob. Totally agree even if it was a 65% reduction. And in days gone past- I am sure the club would have taken this correct action.We were great ,decent and pure back then.( Denis and Peter Hill-woods time) Alas we have Silent Stan and his Nincompoops in charge now. And since when have they ever been proactive? (We are reactive club these days )… Read more »
It’s nice to see CG pushing for people on moderate salaries (coaches etc) being sacked during the current difficult times especially as they have no chance of finding new employment until this is over.
Walt
Our coaches are not on a moderate salary.
We dont need Bouldie,Freddie, Round for starters.
We dont need Per
We dont need Edu.
We dont need Hussey
We certainly dont need Raul.
Vinny can take over Raul and Husseys job
Arteta can do Edus teck decking
And if we get shot of all that lot.
Two things would happen
1. No one would notice.
2. We can keep the lowest paid employees.
( ie. Cooks, cleaners janitors etc)
Win Win.
What these big business need to remember football is a game, they have turned it into a golden goose ..
Footballers ain’t playing, don’t pay.
They ain’t special. Not essential ,
Fuck em all lay the cunts off if they don’t like it
For my sins I read the minutes of the THST meetings held with the Spurs board. Levy maintained throughout that he was unable to get a fixed price contract for the re build. Initially it was claimed that Steel prices were a major problem but them the specs of the design changed time after time add to that Brexit and of course the terrible flaws in the construction quality added all went to justify the builders reluctance to commit to a fixed price. That said the key problem , from what is rumoured is that Levy was too hands on… Read more »
Sure Spurs and Levy deserve a kicking but it’s worth remembering than Stan may well take the same approach sooner or later. I expect that the club will monitor the situation and if the likes of Spurs get away with it they will jump on the bandwagon.
RSPCA not sure ‘laying off’ our squad makes a hell of lot of sense. Having to pay up their contracts and losing any possible transfer fees might just be cutting off our nose to spite our face!
andy
My guess is that most clubs are hoping they won’t be forced to make a decision ie we see some sort of solution present itself in the next month or 2.
I’m sure there must be conversations going on between the PL and Sky, BT and the overseas TV rights holders on this as well.
Marc, well I hope we don’t join the pond scum in their shitty little game but don’t trust Stan not to take the money. What amazes me is that the PL didn’t write in a force majeure clause in the TV contracts, you would have thought that it would be a basic. I see that Wimbledon were insured against just such an event so cancelling was the easy option for them.
“””””Having to pay up their contracts and losing any possible transfer fees might just be cutting off our nose to spite our face!”””” Sure Bob, Like there are lots of clubs who want to buy our overpaid dross and add to their wage bills? You could not give most of our lot way, pre Corona, post Corona- no chance. Arsenal if they had an ounce of common sense, should be culling the wage bill now. Mutual agreements etc. When do you think we will see Arsenal play a home fixture with a packed house? Its Covid 19 now, we could… Read more »
Andy
“””What amazes me is that the PL didn’t write in a force majeure clause in the TV contracts,”””””
Fabulous observation.
Too arrogant and too bloody greedy the lot of them.
They will now learn the hard way.
If rich people can blame someone else and get a government to pay 80 pc they will
Doesn’t make it alright..
Cg
Surely this will give tv companies an upper hand.
Everyone seems to be forgetting how much players pay in income tax…
https://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2019-01-25%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C/how-much-tax-does-paul-pogba-pay-premier-league-footballers-pay-more-ps1-billion
3 years ago, the players alone paid $1.1b, according to this article.
I still think there wages are obscene and Spurs are trash btw.
*their
*pounds not dollars ffs
This virus has killed 0.00064 % of the worlds population, meanwhile 86,000 babies are born every day.
Why cannot everybody over 60 stay at home and let everybody else go back to work? There has to be an end game to this, an acceptable level.
Football is done for this season.
Glad you’re not making the decisions Spanishdave- I would suggest what’s acceptable to you wouldn’t be acceptable to most people including the scientific and medical experts, let alone the NHS who’d have to deal with a horrendous increase in cases your suggestion would cause.
“Why cannot everybody over 60 stay at home and let everybody else go back to work? There has to be an end game to this, an acceptable level.”
A 13 years old boy died in London yesterday. Do you seriously believe the virus only affects certain age groups ? FFS
Dave, not sure this is the time to be pondering whether we should be going back to work… but the short answer is that until we can mass test, no one can go back to work. China and South Korea have implemented mass testing and draconian tech solutions to swarm anyone suspected of having the virus. I think China can get to people within 10 minutes through a mandatory app they have. The UK can’t even test its frontline workers. As Michael pointed out, it’s not just an age factor, you have plenty of under 60s with underlying health issues,… Read more »
Pedro
We are due for hot weather this weekend
People will flout the laws like they have.
As Dave said
Football is done for this year.
At least,
Best start leadpguebin March till November next year.
Open transfer window now for whatever use it may be.
“Governments know truth and are not saying…”
How do you know if they are not telling the truth ?
Humans won’t be on Earth forever. We are ” a virus” to every other species on the planet. And we will be just a flash in planet’s history.
also fuck spuds
“There is no way this virus came from the Chinese eating a bat.” Coronavirus’ jump from various animals and it’s not normally direct consumption of the initial vector; a lot of the time it’s the handling of raw material mixed in with bat shit and urine (for example) but there’s normally a intermediate host as well; for example the MERS outbreak it was camels, for this virus it’s unknown but Pangolin’s have also been highlighted as a possible vector. The other SARS outbreaks, people only became infections way after symptoms became serious so they were far easier to contain; this… Read more »
Interesting interview of Garry Neville on Sky Transfer News. He discusses recruitment and departures at Man United during Ferguson era. He sets out the three categories of players who Fergie recruited i.e. 1. Youth within the club. 2. Young players elsewhere in EPL 3. Emerging talent from Europe. When interviewed he went on to say that he never wanted personally to leave the club like his brother, Nicky Butt or David Beckham and contract negotiations were brief, but his family security was more important than the mega bucks. Contract negotiations lasted one or two sessions. Finally he went on to… Read more »
Well said, ES.
Johnson faking corona so that he can avoid proper
scrutiny.
The Government and Johnson have form of being dishonest so nothing would surprise me.