Coronavirus: Football doesn't really matter at present says Horsham boss Di Paola

Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola says football isn’t ‘worth worrying about’ amid the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.
Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola. Picture by Steve RobardsHorsham manager Dominic Di Paola. Picture by Steve Robards
Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola. Picture by Steve Robards

The Isthmian League Premier Division outfit had their league and cup games postponed this week.

The Hornets were due to visit Bowers & Pitsea in the league on Saturday before welcoming Cheshunt to The Camping World Community Stadium on Tuesday night for their historic Velocity Trophy semi-final.

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A statement from league chairman Nick Robinson released last Friday said: “The safety and well-being of all those associated with the league – our players, volunteers, club officials, match officials and supporters – is our number one priority, and we are closely monitoring the situation and carefully following advice from Public Health England.

“The board has decided that as an immediate step, matches scheduled for tomorrow and next midweek will be postponed and we will review the situation daily as to when fixtures can recommence.

“We hope that by taking this step we can delay the spread of the virus and we earnestly hope that with the right approach there will be as few persons as possible suffering either directly or indirectly.”

Di Paola revealed he had seen the ‘chaos’ the virus had brought to mainland Europe last weekend and felt that football was ‘irrelevant’ during this difficult period.

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The Horsham manager said: “I don’t think football really matters at present.

“We’re in a semi-final of a cup, and we haven’t got to a semi-final for donkey’s years, we’re on the outskirts of the play-offs, but at the end of the day it’s largely irrelevant.

“I was in Tenerife at the weekend and I saw on the Sunday that they were locking everything down and the police were out. It was a lot of chaos.

“Being at the airport was like trying to get out of a war zone.

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“I don’t think we’re aware how much impact it’s having in other parts of the world so I don’t think it’s worth worrying about football at the moment.

“When there’s something that we have no answer to, I don’t think football really matters.”