Why Sheffield United skipper Billy Sharp says football may reassess priorities after coronavirus crisis is over

Billy Sharp, the Sheffield United captain, hopes that football will begin to reassess its priorities when it returns after the coronavirus suspension.
Sheffield United's senior players, including captain Billy Sharp, run the dressing room at Bramall Lane: Nigel Roddis/Getty ImagesSheffield United's senior players, including captain Billy Sharp, run the dressing room at Bramall Lane: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images
Sheffield United's senior players, including captain Billy Sharp, run the dressing room at Bramall Lane: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

Sharp and his teammates have not played since early March, and were later instructed to train at home when their Shirecliffe training base was closed to limit the spread of Covid-19.

The Government-imposed lockdown has since been extended by a further three weeks, with the situation unclear as to how the 2019/20 season will be concluded.

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But, beyond that, Sharp hopes that the game's priorities will be looked at in the wake of the suspension, which has left a number of lower-league clubs fearing for their future.

Sharp was speaking on journalist Alan Biggs’ Sheffield Live TV show.

"The numbers thrown around for wages and transfers and TV deals are phenomenal," Sharp said.

"And maybe it is time to look back at how it used to be. Everyone seems to be in it for as much as they can make and of course, you want to earn the money but a lot of people are in this sport for the love of it.

"Everyone's now missing football and the most important people are the participants and the fans who watch it. You need TV companies to air the game to people but there's no better feeling than going to a game and watching it live.

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"Maybe clubs and TV companies and the leagues need to sit down and reassess the future. No-one expected this and some clubs are struggling now. Hopefully they don't get too affected by it... and we can get back to the sport we love when this is over."

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