MPs press Boris Johnson: Give us back our football!

The seven MPs, from Labour, the DUP and Conservation party, told Mr Johnson they are contacting him on behalf of thousands of young people and amateur football clubs from “up and down” the UK who have been prohibited from participating in their chosen exercise and social activity. Sport has been under severe restrictions for most of the past year but there has been a growing dwell of discontent among people who are finding it increasingly difficult to cope without the physical exercise, mental lift and social interaction of their game.

“This sport, as you know, takes place outside, [and] promotes physical health and positive social and mental health wellbeing especially amongst young males,” the MPs wrote. “It has now been almost a year since proper full time fixtures have ceased. No one doubts that we must practice good public health activity in the face of the pandemic. But there must be a balance. 

 “I and colleagues are asking that as soon as schools return that the prohibition on grassroots amateur football and training for youths is immediately lifted and this wellbeing activity permitted. 

“These local clubs are well managed, they reach tens of thousands of young people and have a positive health impact. Locking them down has been detrimental to mental and physical well being. We appeal to you to consider this important matter. “

The letter was signed by DUPs Ian Paisley, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Carla Lockhart and Sammy Wilson as well as Tories Sir Peter Bottomley, Laurence Robertson and Andrew Rossendell as well as Labour member John Speller.

A spokeswoman for Mr Johnson told the News Letter: “The Prime Minister will be setting out details of the road map out of Covid on February 22 but will have no further comment until then.”

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