How has COVID-19 hurt the game of football?

Lesson 1.     How has COVID-19 hurt football?

As the deadly Corona virus spreads all over the world, sporting authorities all over the globe have been halting their leagues as a whole.  A large majority not knowing when football will return to action.   However the Belarusian league survived any serious outbreaks of the virus and they have been continuing as normal.  As a result, it has drawn global fan attention from all parts of the world.

In Europe the major leagues all throughout the region have been drawing to its conclusion.  In the Premier League there were only 9 games left.  Liverpool are top of the league and looking favorite to be champions but the league is not yet completed.  In terms of relegation, three go down, as it stands Norwich City, Aston Villa and Bournemouth fall into that bracket.  However until the full season is completed (38 games) how can we determine who will get relegated into the Championship and who will be crowned Champions.  There can be so many twists and turns until the season is finally over.  But due to the number of COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom being very high it is under government orders that no sport can take place whatsoever until safe to do so.

The European Football Championship (Euros) all set for the summer in June/July has been cancelled and re-scheduled for summer 2021.

Some people are saying for the League to be called void.  The league just be forgotten about and it re-starts as normal in late August.  But for teams fighting to get into the top flight like West Brom and Leeds to name just two this is a big deal for them.  The Premier League is the most prestigious league in world football and the money that can be made by TV money and the exposure it gives a club is huge.  Being in the Premier League can attract a big player to join and the crowd numbers will increase as a result.



Talks have already been under-way to re start the season sometime in July as long as the COVID-19 stats are low enough to play in safe circumstances.  The most likelihood is when the league does start again it will be played with no fans in the stadium.  This is to minimize the chances of the virus spreading from one person to another.  In Korea the K League have started their domestic season as the number of COVID-19 cases are mainly in single digits.  Initially like stated above no fans will be watching until the government eases restrictions on safety measures.

Key words

deadly- the cause of something that can make someone die.

halting- to stop something or someone suddenly and quickly.

outbreaks- the start of something, usually a bad thing.

conclusion- when something comes to an end.

relegation- if a team doesn’t do very well they will have to play next season at a lower level of competition.

void- to be not valid.  It has no readings in history.

prestigious- having a very high status and respect.

exposure- to be more commonly known by the public.

likelihood- something is going to happen very soon.

restrictions- rules in place ordering people to not do something.




Fill in the blanks with the correct answer


I studied so hard for this TOIEC exam, the ____________ is that I will pass and that my score was a good one.


I don’t want to live in Seoul as the pollution is terrible there.  It can be ______________ for our health.


My friend started dating a footballer, but I don’t think she really likes him.  She just likes the fact that he is rich and she gets a lot of _____________ when she is seen with him.


I have come to the ___________________ on my thesis.  It’s taken me nearly a month to complete it.

During the COVID-19 pandemic there were very strict _________________ on anyone entering a football pitch to play football with friends.

My Sunday league football team have had a terrible season this year, we are in serious danger of _______________________.