Maccabi: cancellation of grassroots football ‘extremely disappointing’

Jewish football fixtures have been suspended in wake of the government’s second lockdown restrictions.

This comes after the Football Association announced all non-elite level fixtures would be halted as part of the government’s Covid-19 measures. The impending second national lockdown will be imposed on Thursday, with restrictions set to last until at least 2 December.

Chief Operating Officer of Maccabi, Ashley Lerner, said: “Whilst of course it is extremely disappointing that grassroots sports, gyms and other sporting activities have been suspended and closed, we are living in unprecedented times and hope that the lockdown measures enforced by the Government are effective in driving down the Covid-19 infection and that we can return to normal as soon as possible.

“We encourage the community to take the opportunity to continue to exercise from home and make use of many online resources from Maccabi GB and others.

“We are pleased that the restrictions don’t limit sport in schools and as such Maccabi GB can continue to provide its PE Curriculum lessons in many of our Jewish Primary schools.”

An FA statement said: “Health and well-being remain the priority, so it is extremely important clubs … adhere to the UK Government’s new national Covid-19 restrictions during this period.”