Football has returned in Germany and is seemingly edging closer across Europe as well. There was a keen interest from fans across the globe as the Bundesliga kicked off for the first time in two months last weekend. Sky Germany reported record figures as Borussia Dortmund dispatched Schalke. Despite the oddities such as the substitutes sitting 2 metres apart in the stands and the noticeably subdued goal celebrations, there was sense of relief and joy in many quarters at the return of the beautiful game. However, the decision has also sparked controversy from some who feel it is too early. With politicians and leaders citing the mental health of the general public as a reason for a return to professional football, it is important that we only consider how the pandemic affects footballers themselves.
Thankfully, discussion surrounding mental health has become far more prominent in recent years. Most people have become more mature about the issue and there is a greater awareness of the damage mental health issues can have. The impact of Covid 19 has had a detrimental effect on peoples liveliehoods. People have jobs and some have seen their business crumble. Tragically, many have also lost family members and loved ones to the disease. It is absolutely undeniable that this level of chaos will have had and will continue to have a dramatic effect on peoples mental health.
It is often said that footballers live in a bubble. They don’t understand or experience ‘normal people’ problems. However, Covid 19 has somewhat levelled the playing field in the sense that everyone experiences the same level of isolation and separation from loved ones. It is the middle of May and the season would have just about finished up by now under normal circumstances. Many footballers would be travelling back home to visit family. That is simply not going to happen anymore. Being away from family is tough at the best of times, but that difficulty is heightened in these strange times. For someone like 18 year old Gabriel Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from the Brazilian fourth division last summer, it must be particularly challenging.
Premier League and other elite professional footballers live privileged lives, there’s no disputing that. However, there seems to be a consensus that this somehow makes them villains. How they dare earn a very good wage while the brave NHS works break their backs for a pittance? Many Doctors and nurses are overworked and underpaid. However, their mistreatment is not the fault of the Arsenal right back or Manchester City’s striker . This unhealthy comparison between footballers and frontline staff has unfortunately continued into this pandemic. When Troy Deeney voiced concern for his young child with breathing problems in a story for Sky Sports, the comments below the headline showed a certain disregard for his concerns. The fact that people are failing emphasise with a man who doesn’t want to go back to entertaining people because he has a daughter at home who could potentially become seriously ill shows a worrying trend
Troy Deeney is most likely not the only premier league footballer who has a vulnerable person at home. Footballers are being asked to go from isolating at home to protect themselves and their loved ones to playing football at a competitive level with the eyes of millions of people watching, albeit from their homes. While physically, it will take time for them to regain their fitness, it should also be asked that we are asking a huge amount of them mentally too. The already significant stress caused by the virus will be compounded by the fact that they will no longer able to follow the medical advice, putting them at greater risk of getting the virus and passing it on to their loved ones.
Studies continue to show that mental health and physical health are heavily interlinked. The Mental Health foundation in the UK state on their website that
‘a clear distinction is often made between ‘mind’ and ‘body’. But when considering mental and physical health, the two should not be thought of as separate’.
With this in mind, it’s is worth considering the physical ramifications the players may experience as a result of the build up of stress and isolation over the past weeks and months
The comparison between footballers and healthcare workers is completely null and void. Healthcare workers are essential. Footballers are not. Thier paychecks are irrelevant in this discussion. Footballers who do not feel safe should not be forced to return to competitive football. It is unfair of us to expect footballers to act differently to the general public. Nurses and doctors are bravely performing an essential front line service. It would be foolish to expect footballers to perform for our entertainment at the risk of themselves and the people they live with.
Most of us have suffered in some capacity as a result of Covid 19, some more than others. As football nears its long awaited return, it is important that we step back and acknowledge that the people we’re hinging our entertainment plans on are human beings. Human beings with family and friends who they want to keep safe. Our thirst for Saturday nights Match of the Day and a routine we’ve grown accustomed should not overpower our capacity for compassion and understanding, even for multi millionaire footballers.
TheGoonerStation 