Catalans preparing for strange environment, says Steve McNamara
Catalans coach Steve McNamara says playing Saturday’s game against Leeds behind closed does “isn’t an ideal situation” for anybody.
Fans will be prevented from attending the Super League fixture between the Dragons and Rhinos at the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday following fears over coronavirus.
McNamara said: “It’s going to be completely different. Nobody has ever experienced it as far as I’m aware.
“It’s not an ideal situation for anybody. Our first option was to try to play the game in Leeds which couldn’t happen or maybe re-arrange it for another time which couldn’t happen so we crack on. We’ve got to get on with it.”
McNamara says he feels for club president Bernard Guasch, who is expected to lose money due to Catalans not being able to have any home fans in attendance.
He added: “Purely from the football side of things, obviously we want to play the game. We’ve already got a couple of games to catch up on.
“I have got one eye looking out for the club and the financial implications of losing out on a huge fixture like this.
“It’s enormous and will have a huge impact on the club. I do really feel for the club and Bernard in particular.
“And this might not be the only game for us. If it’s one game, it’s possibly okay but two and if it goes to three, who knows? And that’s in France, who knows what will happen in England at some point?
“We’re aware of the need for gate receipts in our game to support the clubs financially.”
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