Premier League told to let cameras in dressing rooms if games go ahead behind closed doors
Matches could potentially be played over the summer in front of empty stadiums in a bid to get the season finished but Oriol Romeu has an idea to get the fans more involved
PREMIER LEAGUE 2019/20: THE TITLE RACE SO FAR
Darren Lewis
Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu wants TV cameras allowed into dressing rooms if Premier League games restart behind closed doors.
The Saints star also fears next season's League Cup could be axed and that players should brace themselves for "months of confinement".
But, should the Premier League press ahead with their plan to stage games without fans to complete the season, Romeu believes cameras in dressing rooms to provide fly-on-the-wall coverage could hold some appeal.
"The welfare of the people has to be a priority but I would like the Premier to resume," he said. "They took it away from us suddenly and it's fair to finish it. But I understand that 40,000 people will not be able to enter the stadiums overnight.
Oriol Romeu is desperate for the season to be concluded (
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"Without fans there is no atmosphere, and without atmosphere there is less emotion," said the Spaniard. "Perhaps to compensate them, cameras can be introduced inside the locker room to make them feel closer to everything."
After a nightmare first half of the season, Southampton rallied to lift themselves seven points clear of the drop zone. Despite a run of just one win in five League games before the coronavirus disruption, boss Ralph Hassenhuttl is understood to have agreed a new deal in principle.
But Romeu fears there will be trouble ahead for the fixture calendar as football looks for ways to readjust after being thrown into chaos.
Romeu thinks supporters may appreciate seeing behind-the-scenes footage (
Getty Images Europe)
"If the calendar has to be adjusted next year, the number of commitments played will also have to be reviewed," he told Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo .
"Provisionally eliminating the League Cup is an option. But somehow it has to be cut.
"If someone deserves [the title], it is Liverpool, but it cannot be awarded without finishing the competition. Even out of respect for other teams that have had to suffer other years until the end to win it."
Premier LeagueCoronavirusSouthampton FCOriel Romeu
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