Portsmouth boss in support of moving Leasing.com final date as coronavirus crisis deepens

The Blues boss has supported the prospect of shifting his club’s trip to Wembley next month to later in the summer, as the pandemic decimates the sporting calendar.

A host of football leagues have either suspended their programmes or are playing their games behind closed doors, as steps are taken to contain the spread of the virus.

Reports last night suggested all games in English football are likely to be played behind closed doors as part of crisis plans put forward by the government.

News on that has yet to be confirmed, however, but there are grave concerns about the meeting with Salford City at the home of football on April 5 taking place.

Jackett said there has been no news over the final, but he would back it being moved to a later date when fans could potentially attend.

He said: ‘We’ve spoken to the players about it and we will have to wait and see.

‘I haven’t got any information that I can say there’s a probability of something or a decision day.

‘I haven’t got that information but my own view of observing the situation is there’s no point risking situations.

‘In terms of football, it comes second to people’s health. That’s what I feel.

‘Then, as an industry, we have to adapt.

‘We may to (do it in pre-season). It may have to be something down the road that’s different to any other situation or time.

‘We’d be fine with that and would understand the reasons for it. There would be very good reasons for it.’

Jackett knows that English football is entering uncharted territory when it comes to how it deals with the threat of the coronavirus.

But he certainly sees a possible outcome where the league season could yet be postponed, such is the gravity of the situation.

Jackett said: ‘Whether they actually cancel the end of the season or postpone it. It depends on the severity of the coronavirus.

‘It’s how long they need and whether they suspend it. There will be no precedent. It’s never happened before.

‘How long will it be? Will it be behind closed doors? How does it impact? Those things have to be worked out.

‘It’s very difficult to assess because you don’t know how long it (coronavirus) will be around for.

‘So it’s assess it and adapt, but overall it’s people’s safety and the football comes after.’