Watford chairman Scott Duxbury has warned that talk of Premier League football returning makes him 'uncomfortable' as the club continue to help with the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Monday it was revealed that the Premier League has begun plans to return to action in June, with the government, which just weeks ago criticised footballers, calling on the sport to help lift the nation.
All games will obviously be played behind closed doors as the fight against Coronavirus continues and Duxbury, who has helped turn Vicarage Road into a wellbeing sanctuary for NHS staff, says the game is still secondary right now.
Advert
"I feel a bit uncomfortable talking about football when we are in this position," the Watford chairman said in a statement talking about their work with Watford General Hospital, which neighbours their ground.
"There is a pandemic, there are immediate needs. The running of the football club is secondary to what we are currently doing with the hospital.
"There is a greater need and a greater good that needs to be addressed. Football needs to be put to one side.
"To have the ability to help is something quite special and to have staff that implement it and make it work is remarkable. They are working every single hour to make this work.
Advert
"I just feel uncomfortable a this stage even talking football. Do I want to resume (football)? Absolutely. At the moment all effort and all concentration has to be on beating this pandemic.
"It is absolutely clear - everyone can see we are facing a war - and it is a war we need to win. Football plays an important part in society, but everyone understands where our priorities need to lie."
'Project Restart,' as the plan for the league to return is being called, could lead to football being played as early as June 8th.
Advert
It requires teams to return to training by mid May which would mean players and staff being exempt from the social distancing laws that the rest of the country is currently under.
All the games would be played behind closed doors and only at certain locations, to cut down on the spread of the virus around the country, and there would be a need for players and staff to be tested regularly.
Should the league get back under way then Watford would need to concentrate on staying up, with the Hertfordshire club only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Featured Image Credit: