Editorial: Newcastle’s Danny Rose was correct in criticizing soccer’s return

Newcastle United’s starting left back is adamant against a return of soccer anytime soon.

In a live video on Instagram, Newcastle United loanee Danny Rose talked about the recent ruling of the U.K. government that would allow the Premier League to return in June. Rose had some choice words, expletives included, in opposition to soccer coming back so soon. His most powerful statement was, “I don’t give a f*** about the nation’s morale, people’s lives are at risk.” To be honest, Rose isn’t wrong.

Everyone wants to see soccer return, myself included. But, as Rose said in the video via Don E Music and The Spurs Web, there are lives at risk and that massively exceeds the importance of soccer or any sport for that matter. There has definitely been a drop in morale without sports, but the drop that should be of more importance is the drop in cases and deaths regarding COVID-19. As Rose said, “football shouldn’t even be discussed until the numbers have dropped massively.”

A lot of the motivation to bring soccer back is finance-related. That includes the money that clubs are losing without matches being played, but it also goes to the finances involved with promotion, relegation, or European qualification. As we all know, cash rules everything around the world, but it shouldn’t be more important than the people of the world right now.

Newcastle United will eventually get back on the pitch. Danny Rose may have signed on a permanent move or he may be back with Tottenham or elsewhere. But, when a lot of people were pushing so hard in favor of soccer returning, Rose will have spoken up for what he believes in to the contrary.