Sheffield United boss addresses claims football means nothing as the nation battles coronavirus

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has dismissed claims football should not be a priority when the country relaxes measures designed to curb the spread of coronavirus, claiming its return will help to lift people’s spirits.
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Although he is aware sport is not a priority at present - United recently postponed contracts talks with existing members of his squad because Wilder felt it would be inappropriate to award new deals in the present climate - the 52-year-old believes it can play a crucial role in improving the nation’s morale following nearly two months in lockdown.

“We’ve all been at home and sport is huge for our society,” Wilder said, following calls the government should be focusing on other things instead. “What’s been going on has shown that.

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“I think it’s important for morale that we get some football back up and running so we can give the country a bit of a boost.”

Wilder also used his entry into the debate about football’s importance to take another swipe at those who believe a line should be drawn under the present campaign.

An advocate of plans to try and reshape the game’s financial model, he added: “What has come out of all of this, I should imagine, is an awful lot of reflection about how football is run and governed and where the money goes.

“I also think it’s important that we finish the season from a moral point of view.”

United were seventh in the table when competition was suspended two months ago.

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