Watson left frustrated by further restrictions

Salford head coach Ian Watson believes rugby league supporters should be allowed back into grounds to trial socially distancing, especially in bigger stadiums.

On Tuesday morning, the government announced that professional sporting fixtures will remain behind closed doors for the foreseeable future – ending the RFL’s plans for pilot Super League fixtures later this month.

Frustrated by the revelation, Watson is not convinced they have come to the right decision.

He said: “If two teams get to the Challenge Cup final and you do play at Wembley, it is a massive stadium.

“They could have shown, not favouritism, but loyalty to the sponsors of the clubs and the season ticket holders that they could have had access.

“You could have social distanced them in the stadium. To give them a little bit of payback.

“There has been a lot of people who have stuck by all the clubs in this time in the Covid situation.

“Like I am saying about the players being rewarded for the sacrifices they have done, maybe that is something that the RFL can put towards the government guidelines?

“Maybe give them something back to reward them for being so patient and staying behind the game.”

Further regulations sees pubs and other hospitality venues hit with a strict 10pm curfew.

However, this only served to further agitate Watson as he believes that it would be safer for supporters to attend matches rather than pubs, as long as they adhere to social distancing.

“The longer it goes on, the bigger the impact over the next few years.” Watson added.

“I suppose that is why a lot of sporting companies are making sure the government are aware of that.

“Saying to them that they have to back it financially to make sure they get through, which is what the government did do with the RFL, giving them the £16m loan.

“We have been talking about pubs being shut at 10pm but being allowed to open for so long and so many people, as long as they are sat down at a table.

“It is potentially safer being outside at an open stadium, sitting in a group of four and being socially distanced in the right way, rather than going in a pub, for definite.

“Maybe, the government and the game can look at that to reward people who have been involved in the game.

“We need to keep people involved and wanting to come back once it actually returns and people are allowed in stadiums.

“More importantly, to get people involved in their actual club. That would have given them a little bit of reward I thought.”