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Dan Kriel of the Emirates Lions during the Super Rugby Unlocked match between Cell C Sharks and Emirates Lions at Jonsson Kings Park on October 09, 2020 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images)
Sporting events may be back on the fields, in the rings and arenas, and on the tracks around the world, but Covid-19 remains a threat despite the sense of relative normalcy.
Four Lions rugby players tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, which is a concern but not unexpected if global trends are something to follow.
All four players are asymptomatic and it appears that the spread has been contained within a small group, for now. The tests for the rest of the team were negative.
The Lions played the Stormers in a Super Rugby Unlocked game last week and, as of Wednesday, there was no news of any member of the Stormers team returning positive tests.
Although the outbreak appears to have been contained, it is a shot in the bow of anyone who becomes complacent. It is also a reminder that events and tournaments could be canceled again if the pandemic escalates.
Covid-19 has created thousands of unprecedented scenarios in all walks of life and sporting events have not been spared. In a year in which the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed, leagues were canceled and rescheduled and fans were forced to stay away from stadiums, the global sports industry cannot afford another six months or more of downtime.
The World Economic Forum, which projected that the value of the global sports market would reach 481 billion dollars (8 trillion rand) in 2020, has recalculated its estimate. The latest estimate, in a special Covid-19 report, has the 2020 value at $ 207 billion (R3.5 trillion).
So the industry has lost more than half its value in six months. And while it is expected to regain some ground over the next three years, the report predicts a 35% reduction in broadcasting rights rates for major sports and more for smaller sports.
The impact on rugby is felt globally. England’s Rugby Football Union stated that it would lose £ 60 million (R1.24 billion) if the Six Nations 2021 goes ahead without fans. Twickenham is scheduled to host three games. The financial drain is similar in the global rugby industry and across the broader sports spectrum.
In addition to the Lions’ troubles, uncertainty prevails everywhere, especially in Europe and the United States, where there is strong evidence of the so-called “second wave” of the virus.
This week English rugby was rocked by the possibility of the Premiership final between Exeter and Wasps being canceled or, more likely, Wasps being forced to withdraw. The club has had 11 positive Covid-19 tests last week and Bristol, which lost the Premiership semi-final to Wasps, was put on hold to replace the latter in the final.
That is unprecedented and has undermined the integrity of the tournament. After a stressful 72 hours, Wasps was cleared to play in the final after a new round of Covid testing showed no new cases.
But there is still little clarity on the Wasps party lineup. Seven of the 11 positive tests involved youth from the club, but could have a ripple effect if those players had contact with the older ones.
When wasps enter the field, they are unlikely to be near their maximum strength. But at least by being on the field, it eliminates the potential conflict over broadcast rights fees and other financial gains to come as you reach the end of the season.
No wonder wasps CEO Stephen Vaughan was delighted: “As a club, we are delighted to be able to take our rightful place in this Saturday’s Premiership final. To all of our fans and supporters, thank you for your many messages of support; This final is for you! “
In soccer leagues around the world, players have tested positive for Covid-19. Hardly anyone has been spared, with Liverpool star striker Sadio Mane among those recently forced to isolate himself.
The stadiums remain empty. The English Premier League (EPL) had plans to allow a limited number of fans to return to the games, but has been forced to maintain a waiting position.
In early September, the UK government banned gatherings of more than six people, shattering the PLA’s plans to test a program that would allow 1,000 people through the gates.
As a consequence, the EPL issued a strong statement urging the UK government to ease its restrictions on fans returning to stadiums. The absence of paying spectators is costing clubs hundreds of millions of pounds.
“For every month of the season without fans, more than £ 100 million (R2.1 billion) is lost to football in all leagues, with consequent damage to the local and national economy,” the EPL said in a statement. .
“It also hurts the job prospects of more than 100,000 people whose jobs depend on the activities of the day. Our clubs have already prepared trial events and can offer larger scale trials to demonstrate that it is possible to produce safe and biosecure environments, as demonstrated through the successful execution of Project Restart. “
But, as has been repeatedly shown over the past eight months since most of the world entered some form of lockdown, financial considerations are secondary to health and safety.
Every new positive test in the sport is a reminder that empty and soulless stadiums, canned fan effects, face masks and fist bumps are here to stay.
Weekly updates from players who have tested positive for Covid-19 will continue for the next several months. It’s the new normal. DM
