Darrell Clarke: Walsall respect EFL decision on coronavirus
Walsall manager Darrell Clarke says the coronavirus outbreak is on the club's 'mind' but that they will respect the decision of the governing bodies.
The EFL called a board meeting this morning, following in the footsteps on the Premier League, after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus.
They have since chosen to suspend fixtures until at least April 4 – and Clarke admitted the outbreak has been on the team's mind in recent days.
"There's obviously a lot going off in the world so I'd be sitting here dishonest to say it's not on my mind and what the different options are," he said.
"I'm not going to sit here and say it's about being professional, because it's on player's and staff's minds - everyone in the world's mind.
"It's certainly a lot bigger than football but we're governed by the experts, so we crack on and listen to their advice.
"We will follow the protocol if or when somebody does pick up the virus, because it looks inevitable to be honest, with the way things are going."
After several Champions League and Europa League fixtures were played behind closed doors this week, UEFA were criticised for allowing games to be played without fans.
While games are suspended for the time being, their is still a possibility of League Two games being played without fans in the future and Clarke is firmly against the idea – highlighting the financial impact it will have on teams.
"For me, football is about the fans, there's no games without the fans," he added.
"I wouldn't be an advocate of playing games behind closed doors.
"I win football matches not for myself, I'm not a selfish person, I win them for the chairman, the people here and the fans.
"You take the fans away, which is the key ingredient, it's not really football is it - it's like a training ground game.
"But we're governed by the powers that be and we'll crack on with whatever we're told to do
"No-body can (afford it), the Premier League is different with the TV money but we survive on our gates and the money that comes through the fans.
"Obviously it's very worrying times for that but we can't get ahead of ourselves, we just have to keep focusing on the day-to-day.
"There's a lot more problems in the world than football matches to be honest with you.
"We wish that everyone is safe and is looking after themselves."
