COVID-19: Opinions on the acceptable level of risk in returning sports, by interest

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), otherwise known as COVID-19, is an infectious disease first identified in the city of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in China. Infections have since been reported worldwide resulting in an unprecedented international response that amongst other containment measures, lead to the widespread suspension of many sporting fixtures worldwide. During a representative survey of the British adult population, undertaken between the 3rd and 4th June 2020, respondents were asked their opinion on the level of risk expected to be accepted by professional sports men and women should be expected to accept so that sporting competitions can resume.

The responses to this survey have subsequently been categorized into into four groups characterized by the respondents level of interest in the English Premier League (EPL).

There is a substantial relationship observed between the level of interest of the respondent and their opinion on the appropriateness of the return of the EPL. Only the respondents that indicated that the EPL is one of their 'TOP' interests exhibited the greatest share indicating that the 17th June was 'about the right time' for the EPL to resume with over 57 percent indicating as such. Conversely, the greatest of all other respondent groups indicated that it was 'too soon' for the EPL to resume.

A similar share of all respondents held the opinion that professional athletes should accept either no risk or a small amount of risk. Of the respondents that indicated that the EPL was one of their 'TOP' interest, 43 percent held the opinion that athletes should accept a small amount of risk whereas only 24 percent held the opinion that athletes should accept 'no risk'.