Premier League on a giant screen? Not now, Dubai football fans say

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Most of the football fans are now avoiding the Dubai sports clubs where they used to watch the action on giant screens in the pre-Covid time (AFP file)

Published: Mon 22 Jun 2020, 5:42 PM

Last updated: Tue 23 Jun 2020, 1:23 PM

The Covid-19 pandemic has now robbed football of its most beautiful element - the fans.

The elite European leagues may have resumed their seasons, but the fan, the 12th man of every team, is not there at the stadiums to rally behind the players.
And most of them are now also avoiding the Dubai sports clubs where they used to watch the action on giant screens in the pre-Covid time.
Despite the authorities putting all the safety protocols in place, many football aficionados in Dubai are still a little apprehensive to go out with friends to watch a game of football.

Himadri Gautam is a massive Manchester United fan
"We all call football the beautiful game. Buy why is it beautiful? It's because the emotions attached with it," said Dubai-based Indian expat Himadri Gautam.
"The glory of the goal, the noise, the eruption of the fans and the agony on the other side, everything is associated with the atmosphere and the culture. It's the fans that bring the culture, the colour and the entertainment.
"So football without fans is hollow. I do understand that at this point in time, it's not possible."
Gautam says he misses the fotballiing buzz at the sports clubs in Dubai.
"Being a football fanatic, I used to go out with my friends during footballing weekends. That was a really important sociocultural aspect and the banter between rival fans at clubs in Dubai, it's something I miss now," he said.
"But now we have to be careful. Until there is a vaccine out there, I have to be very careful because I have two kids at home. So, at the moment, I am enjoying the football from the confines of my home.
"It's a bit hollow if you are watching Man United play at the Theatre of Dreams without the drama that only the fans can bring. It's kind of hollow, but the show must go on."

Siddhartha Bhattacharyya enjoys his football chats with friends
Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, a Manchester United fan, doesn't see himself hitting 'a sports club in the next couple of months'.
"I have been a regular follower of EPL for a long time and Manchester United has been one of my favorite teams. Watching the big matches on the giant screens of a sports club is always a different feeling," he said.
"However, considering the ongoing Covid 19 situation, I would prefer to watch all the games at home and like to keep a safe distance. Until the situation normalises, may be, in a couple of months, I don't see myself hitting a sports club for the matches."
Jordanian expat Rami Abuarja will also continue to watch matches at home.

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"I think maybe in two months' time I will feel more comfortable to go out and watch a game in a public place. Maybe the Champions League final in August. That game I can watch with my friends in a club," he said.
Indian expat Dishang Mehta echoed Abuarja's sentiment.

Dishang Mehta is happy to see Man United regain some of their old spark under Ole Gunnar Solskjær
"I was very excited about the Tottenham-Man United match. In the pre-Covid time, I would have gone to a club in Dubai to watch the game. Maybe in a month's time, I will go out with my friends again," he said.
Adham Ali Aloub, an Egyptian expat, revealed why he would not be going to any sports clubs now.

Adham Ali Aloub, an Egyptian expat, loves to watch World Cup matches at clubs with his friends
"I used to sometimes go out with my friends during weekends. But now I am definitely not going to watch matches in the clubs, even though I know the government has taken all safety measures," he said.
"I need to be very careful because I have asthma. So I will avoid public places until they find a vaccine."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com