Coronavirus: What happened on a day without football?
Last updated on .From the section Football
We know that there are some things more important than football, and that the coronavirus shutdown is for the greater good.
But that still doesn't alleviate the boredom of a Saturday with a blank fixture list, does it?
There were, though, some clubs and players that did their best to entertain us.
The Football Manager simulation
Given the amount of football-related video games there are, it was inevitable that someone would simulate their fixture.
Step forward Watford, who had their home match with Leicester City played out on Football Manager.
Despite playing most of the match with 10 men after a horrible challenge by Etienne Capoue on Dennis Praet, the Hornets earned a creditable point.
Marc Albrighton's rasping left-footed finish was cancelled out late on by Roberto Pereyra's long-range stunner, which sent Vicarage Road wild.
League Two Leyton Orient took the simulation of their match at Bradford even further, asking fans to vote on which teams should be selected, getting a pre-match comment from actual manager Ross Embleton, then live tweeting the match in real time.
After all that, Orient couldn't even scrape a point, going down to a 1-0 defeat.
Noughts and crosses
Unable to play football, Southampton tried to engage their scheduled opponents Norwich in a game of noughts and crosses.
They were unsuccessful...
Step forward, Manchester City.
The two sides battled to a thrilling draw.
Probably a fair result. Imagine the humiliation of being beaten at noughts and crosses in front of the entire world.
Colour it in
Not content with getting involved in a game of noughts and crosses that should have had nothing to do with them, Manchester City also invited fans to get in touch with their artistic side.
On the subject of City, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan yesterday took to Twitter to give his message to fans.
Even in these gravely serious times, you do wonder if it's OK to unfurl the flip flops and socks combo.
Spanish simulation
The simulations were not just limited to English football, with Spanish outfit Leganes getting in on the act.
Unlike Watford and Leyton Orient, who weren't able to simulate themselves a win, Leganes were able to overcome Real Valladolid 2-1.
No days off
He may not know when he will next take to the field, but that didn't prevent Sergio Ramos from staying match-fit. The Real Madrid defender was on the treadmill with his shirt off, obviously.
Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi managed to fit a lot into one Instagram video. He does kick-ups while washing his hands, but even that didn't impress a pair of young children (presumable his son and daughter).
There's no pleasing some people.
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Or is posting Twitter screengrabs what passes for journalism at the BBC these days?
Why not just call the summer break now? 3 months without football so players can just relax. Then in June/July, when hopefully this has died down a bit, finish off the remaining games of this season before proceeding straight into next season.
they can afford it and still be rich.
how about it lads?
Wait till this virus is over (even if that's like September or something), play the last 9 games then start the next season in October. Get rid of international friendlies/replays/community shield to reduce fixture congestion. This season has to finish otherwise there'll be law suits up and down the leagues!
If this season is declared void the biggest impact will be on the lower league clubs. How do you divide up the prize money that these clubs need to survive? Also are you really gonna deny the national league winners (whose league is still ongoing) the chance to be promoted to division 2? Season has to be finished even if next season is delayed.
Says the multi-millionaire. Yeah OK Shkodran. I'll see how BT, water, leccy, gas boards and my mortgage company react when I say I can't work so can't pay cos there's a flu bug going round. That's after I tell my boss and getting the sack of course. They don't half come out with some pearlers.
I guess I could work from home, if someone builds an offshore oil rig in my garden.
Yes I'm sure Leicester were closing in on us. 29 points behind us with 27 left to play for, I think they could have done it!
Anyway, nice to see a Man City game played on a level playing field for once.
I want to tell these lot to shut up because they have no clue about how the real world works.