This is a Scandal: Amateur Sport Discriminated Against in UK During Covid Pandemic

Despite the warnings from health experts and government ministers of the life threatening consequences of contracting the Covid-19 virus; and despite keeping families separated from each other whilst the elderly die alone; and despite introducing strict rules governing the movement of people with police powers increased to a level beyond that of World War II resulting in fines and the potential for people to attract a criminal record for merely visiting relatives in a different town, professional sport continues, with scant regard for Covid protocols, whilst amateur sport in many cases is banned.

People should be outraged. Outraged that ministers have refused to see the folly of treating professional and amateur sport differently. Outraged that the people are denied exercise and competition that contribute so much to their physical and mental well-being.

How is it acceptable that in the middle of a pandemic at tier 4, around 60 people from different households (30 from each team) can travel hundreds of miles in a coach, play a contact sport with an opposing team, show no regard to social distancing either on or off the pitch, hug and kiss on the pitch if and when goals are scored, return to a dressing room at half and full time, sweating, shower together and then head home to their respective families, yet 4 people cannot travel independently, use their own equipment, occupy roughly an acre between them on each hole, and play golf?

And all this despite the photographic evidence of significantly more than a handful of Premier League footballers flaunting the rules and in several cases partying whilst the rest of the UK population are effectively under house arrest.

Add to this the decision to allow around 2000 fans to attend Premier League games and then have them in one section of the ground, crowded together both in the stadium and drinking together at the fully open bars at half time.

Here's Pep Guardiola talking to BBC Sport about the proposed ban on hugging after a goal: "It is difficult. I don't know if we will be able to do it," Guardiola said, while stressing that players are frequently tested.

"We are going to do it, we are going to respect the protocols. But the moment you score a goal and one guy runs and the others don't go to celebrate with him, it is weird and uncomfortable."

Really Pep? Oh sorry. We're sorry if you or your players feel weird and uncomfortable whilst the single parents in a one bedroom flat with three kids are doing their best to feed them, clothe them, keep them occupied whilst likely going out of their minds trying to explain why they can't go out for more than an hour a day?

It's very simple. You tell your players not to hug after a goal. To grow up and to show some consideration for those significantly less fortunate. It really isn't difficult at all.

It beggars belief.

So how has this disparity been allowed to happen? 

Is it that the Premier League and football in general has more clout, better lobbyists and friends in higher places than other sports? Certainly if we look at the list of sponsors of the Premier League and the Clubs and their investment in the game it’s as big an "A" list as you can imagine, from the leading banks to major food and drinks companies, sports goods manufacturers, to every betting company I can think of.

If you’re looking for powerful lobbyists, these companies have them in abundance.

And it’s really not much different when it comes to professional golf with the PGA Tour and the European Tour, both continuing to operate.

So what does amateur golf have in Great Britain? The English, Scottish and Welsh golf unions! As hard as they may try to represent the clubs they are lightweights compared with the multi-nationals. You would think that the Chamber of Commerce would show some teeth given that golf clubs are businesses and important to the community, but they don't have any teeth. No bargaining chips. No leverage.

This is not a level playing field and clear evidence that it has nothing to do with people’s safety, containing the Coronavirus, reducing the R number, protecting the NHS. It’s about influence and money.

I have a confession to make. In the early months of the pandemic I thought the reason golf got the rough end of the stick was because golf was considered elitist. I realise now that even at 62 years of age I was na?ve.

Follow the money people, follow the money!

#covid #coronavirus #covid19 #englishgolfunion #walesgolfunion #scottishgolfunion #dailymail #premierleague #soccer #football #golf #followthemoney #pepguardiola #bbc #skysports