With Coronovirus sweeping across Europe, it was inevitable that at some point sport would come to a standstill.
Allowing large crowds of people to assemble in stadiums, never mind permitting them to travel around Europe for European competitions, was always going to be a no go when containing the spread of the virus is a number one priority.
It seemed strange; some might say stupid, then, that UEFA allowed Liverpool to face Atlético Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League this week.
Madrid and Spain are currently on lockdown and advising their citizens to stay at home, so permitting thousands of fans, who may unwittingly spread the virus on Merseyside, without any regulation seemed ridiculous to most.
As yet, there has been no tangible consequences in Liverpool but should Covid-19 cases begin to rise; there is no doubt that game will be pinpointed as a potential cause of it.
Allowing the game to go ahead and the fans to travel has already been roundly criticised in England, and now those in Italy have added their voices.
Speaking to Radio Sportiva, relayed by Arena Napoli, Sport Mediaset journalist Sandro Sabatini admitted his shock at Britain’s decisions over the fast-developing epidemic.
“By saying that we shouldn’t panic, they underestimated the situation. In my opinion, opening the doors to Liverpool is close to a crime; I am stunned.
“It’s completely avoidable madness. Like the Gobert case, they underestimated everything; this disease doesn’t give anyone a discount; it was just a gamble.”
Those sentiments have been echoed by Atalanta forward Alejandro Gómez, who claimed the decision to let the game go ahead was ‘total madness’.
His side recently travelled to Valencia for their own Champions League clash, with the game taking place behind closed doors.
The Italian club were allowed to travel to Spain despite Italy being one of the hardest-hit nations by the outbreak of the virus, something he says is ‘crazy’.
“You can’t play Liverpool-Atletico Madrid with all those people, it’s total madness!” he told Calcio Atalanta.
“Just as it is crazy to play the game behind closed doors in Paris and allow all those people to stay out of the stadium
“People don’t understand it. If you go to Valencia now, there is no control at the airport. And we came from one of the most affected areas in the world.”
