Fuller can’t wait for COVID to end

Former Jamaica footballer Ricardo Fuller says all aspects of football have been affected negatively by the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought sports and society to a virtual standstill since March, and he can't wait for the global health catastrophe to come to an end.

Fuller, who represented Stoke City in the English Premier League (EPL) for six seasons, also believes that the EPL season should be completed, even if it upsets the conventional football calendar.

"It (COVID 19's impact on football) has been massive for the players, not so much in terms of finances, but when you look at the other people who surround the sport, a lot of them are going to lose their jobs sooner rather than later. It has affected football in every way possible, and the world as well, because this is not just in England or Italy, it's in Asia, Europe, South America, the Caribbean; it's worldwide," he said.

People depend on football

"People depend on football as their pastime. Every Wednesday or Sunday they go out and watch football and it makes them happy. Everyone needs some sort of balance in their lives, so you work hard and then you go out and enjoy some football with your friends and support your club. But all that has been put on hold right now and we don't know when it will resume," he said.

Before football around the world was postponed due to the coronavirus, Liverpool were two wins away from securing the English title for the first time in 30 years, and Fuller believes it's a bit unfair for the boys from Merseyside to end this season without the league crown as their own.

"FIFA gave them (leagues) an indefinite time to finish the season, which I think is the right thing to do. I feel sorry for Liverpool because it has been so many years Liverpool haven't won the title, and they were going to be clear winners when this virus came and caused this problem. It's an indefinite situation, but I hope they can conclude the season. It would be a shame if they cancel it and Liverpool are not chosen as the winners," he argued.

Although he does not see an immediate end to the crisis, he contends that he cannot wait for the virus to be controlled and normality returns.

"Even being at home at this time and doing well enough, it has been tough mentally because you want to watch football, you want to play football, but you're just watching TV and playing music, and you can't do that all the time, it gets boring doing the same things over and over.

"The good thing is being with your family. It's a joy and pleasure to be home with my family at this time. But I can't wait for it to end, so we can get back to our normal lives," he said.