West Ham fans aren’t massive fans of their home stadium, The London Stadium, but the last thing they’ll want is to have yet another change of ground. That may be the case for the Irons when football resumes, though, as there are talks that any football won’t be played in the capital.
According to The Telegraph, the Premier League and EFL are holding talks over what to do when football returns, and the article specifically outlines the capacity of Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham’s stadiums because of the number of incidents of COVID-19 in London.
Whilst as of yet it doesn’t seem we’re anywhere near close to making a decision regarding when football will be back, or indeed whether it will be in London, out of London, with fans or without fans, it needs to be kept in mind by the Hammers they when they return it may not be at the London Stadium.
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Whatever does happen, though, the West Ham coaching and playing staff need to be prepared to be playing at neutral and unfamiliar places, and as much of an inconvenience that may be for many, at least these talks are going ahead with plans supposedly being discussed.
The report states:
‘Football matches could be played away from London when sport resumes because of the capital’s relatively high incidence of coronavirus cases.’
‘Talks between the stakeholders including the Premier League, Football Association and EFL have included the possibility of taking games to alternative venues in the process of returning to action safely.’
‘The decision on where to stage matches when the season eventually restarts is likely to be driven by the data on the spread of Covid-19. At the weekend it was recorded that London had 39 per cent of the UK’s 5,018 confirmed cases.’
‘With English football suspended until at least April 30 – and that date is likely to be extended – the suitability of venues for the remaining matches is an issue.’
‘Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham’s stadiums hold more than 60,000 spectators, while Wembley reaches 90,000 at capacity. Whether matches need to be held elsewhere has been discussed over the past week between administrators after football closed its doors to allow the pandemic to be tackled.’
