Watford chief Duxbury fears football is rushing to return when it should be ‘secondary’ to coronavirus
WATFORD chairman Scott Duxbury fears football is in danger of rushing back.
The 20 Premier League clubs will speak again on Friday as they look to plot a return to action.
Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
But Duxbury, whose club yesterday opened its doors for staff from the nearby Watford General Hospital, said: “There is a pandemic — there are immediate needs.
“The running of the football club is secondary to what we are currently doing with the hospital.
“There is a greater need and a greater good that needs to be addressed.
“Football needs to be put to one side.
“I feel a bit uncomfortable talking about football when we are in this position.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
“Do I want to resume football? Absolutely.
“At the moment all effort and all concentration has to be on beating this pandemic.
“It is absolutely clear, everyone can see what we are facing and it is a war and it is a war that we need to win.
“Football plays an important part in society. Everyone understands where our priorities need to lie.
“I will be led by the Government.
“We just have to be led and make sure we are not rushing.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world - plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
The Premier League Hornets have opened their doors to doctors, nurses and other staff from Watford General Hospital.
Vicarage Road is currently known as the TeamWestHerts Sanctuary.
The stadium is offering some respite for staff dealing with the Covid-19 crisis — with free food, drink, accommodation and other services on offer.
And Duxbury, also the club’s chief executive officer, added: “It is entirely our privilege to feel we can in some way help at this time.
“I need to pay credit to the Watford staff that work with me every day — it is they who volunteer every day to make this happen.
“They want to help and feel they can make a difference.
Most Read In Sport
“It’s really quite humbling and I have been amazed at the work that has gone into making it happen.
“It is a real demonstration of the quality of staff we have at this football club.
“I could not be prouder of this football club than I am today.”