Return of crowds in NI boost for players and spectators

The absence of supporters at sports matches was “to the detriment of the game” and their return should prove a help to players, a priest who works with Derry City FC said.

Up to 500 people can attend sports matches in Northern Ireland from May 24, an announcement from the Executive’s Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey revealed May 13.

Fr Chris Ferguson, who helps support player wellbeing for Derry City, said that “anybody who follows football or soccer will appreciate how different it is to watch a game without supporters, that atmosphere”.

“The players, they are human beings, and they feed off it,” he told The Irish Catholic. “It’s that symbiotic relationship, players can inspire the crowd and on another level, the crowd lifts the players when things aren’t going well.”

He continued, saying attending a match is similar to a liturgy in that “as much as we have webcams and livestreams, it’s a poor substitute for gathering together”.

“I think it’s been to the detriment to the game that the supporters aren’t there,” he said.

Spectators can only attend events where the sports governing body, club or venue operator can ensure compliance with social distancing, control numbers accordingly and have appropriate hygiene regimes in place.