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Michael Gove today has been forced to admit he was wrong in the new lockout rules after suggesting that golf and individual tennis might still be allowed under the incoming grassroots ban.
The Cabinet Office minister said the rules on individual golf and tennis would be “refined,” possibly allowing players to continue during the upcoming national shutdown.
But the Conservative minister made a U-turn today and apologized, saying he was “wrong” and that both golf and tennis clubs will be closed from Thursday.
The Surrey Heath MP made the comments during a live chat with the Surrey Residents Network, which was broadcast on social media.
When asked if people would be allowed to play doubles tennis, he said: ‘You can probably play singles tennis. We seek to allow people to play golf with each other ”.
However, Gove quickly backtracked on his comments and apologized in a post on Twitter today.
He said, ‘My apologies, I was wrong. Outdoor leisure facilities such as tennis courts and golf courses will be closed from Thursday.
Michael Gove has today been forced to admit he was wrong in the new lockout rules after suggesting that golf and individual tennis might still be allowed under the incoming grassroots ban.
In a conversation with voters, the Cabinet Office minister said the rules on golf and individual tennis would be “adjusted,” possibly allowing players to continue during the next national shutdown.
But Gove quickly backtracked on his comments last night, apologizing in a post on Twitter today.
Earlier today, former Premier League footballer Robbie Savage criticized the government’s ban on children playing grassroots sports, calling it “absurd”.
The former Wales international turned BBC expert criticized the recently announced policy, saying he “ felt sorry for generations of children who cannot play. ”
His comments came after a petition was launched to save grassroots sports during the upcoming coronavirus shutdown.
Under the new lockdown rules, which take effect in England on Thursday, indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, such as bowling alleys, leisure centers, gyms and sports facilities, will be closed in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, horse riding stables and centers, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centers will also be closed.
The ban also includes archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks.
As part of the new proposals, grassroots sports, including youth soccer, will be banned.
Youth football is played by hundreds of thousands of children every weekend during football season, with up to 60,000 teams across England.
The blanket ban on grassroots sports drew a strong response from former footballer Robbie Savage.
The blanket ban on grassroots sports prompted a strong response from Robbie Savage
Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, the former Derby and Leicester midfielder, who is now a tough-talking expert for BBC Radio Five Live, said: “ Sometimes you have to wonder if (the Government) really talks to each other and they know what They are doing?
‘It doesn’t make sense and it really makes me nervous.
“I just don’t get it and I’m sorry for the generation of kids who can’t play grassroots sports, and I’m not just talking about soccer, I’m talking about all sports.”
He added that it was “inconsistent” that schools had a “right” allowed to remain open, but sports were prohibited, and said grassroots games provide an “outlet” for some children, particularly from low-income backgrounds.
Meanwhile, a petition has been launched urging the government to rethink the ban on grassroots sports for young people.
The petition, launched by Matt Brodie and addressed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, aims to collect 150,000 signatures.
Since its launch two days ago, it has been signed more than 90,000 times.
On the petition page, it says: ‘On October 31, Boris Johnson announced a nationwide lockdown in England until December 2.
“It is well known that the outdoor transmission of Covid 19 is minimal. All grassroots football clubs have guidelines and processes in place to make football safe.
“This petition is to fight so that youth grassroots football continues to function despite the new restrictions.
Benefits include physical health maintained or improved during restrictions, mental health maintained or improved due to the social aspect of the sport, and the expectation of activity each week.
‘It also improves the mental health of parents. Taking your child and watching over your child will support adult mental health. ‘
Meanwhile, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee chair Julian Knight has been among those calling for golf courses and tennis courts to be allowed to remain open.
And ex DCMS The committee’s chairman, Damian Collins, is among a group of six MPs who have called on the government to allow those under 18 to continue participating in grassroots outdoor sports during the shutdown.
In a letter to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, the deputies wrote: “ Currently, young people will be allowed to continue the sport at school, and we believe that the risks of spreading the coronavirus from youth grassroots outdoor sport they would be minimal.
Former DCMS committee chair Damian Collins (pictured left) is among a group of six MPs who have called on the government to allow those under the age of 18 to continue participating in grassroots outdoor sports during closing. The letter is addressed to Secretary of Culture Oliver Dowden (pictured right)
“However, there would be clear and lasting benefits for these young people if the government could support this.”
However, Mr. Dowden tweeted: “Unfortunately, we need to stop grassroots sport outside of school to reduce the risk of transmission from home mix,” he tweeted.
As soon as we can resume this, we will.
Despite the ban on grassroots games, elite sport, such as Premier League football, can continue behind closed doors during the running of the bulls.
Non-elite soccer clubs have been cleared to compete in the FA Cup first round this weekend under strict testing protocols.
