CRYSTAL PALACE manager Patrick Vieira said today it would be a “disaster” for football to return to being played behind closed doors.

The Eagles have cancelled their Christmas party due to the escalating coronavirus situation in the country, with the British government on Wednesday implementing “Plan B” in England in response to the spread of the omicron variant.

While there is no suggestion the sport will return to being played without supporters soon, as it was when football resumed after the first lockdown in 2020, Vieira is clear that he would not enjoy matches taking place in empty grounds again.

“This is the worst-case scenario,” Vieira replied when asked about the potential for the sport to go back behind closed doors.

“From my personal point of view, it is a disaster to play football matches without the fans.

“It is something that is difficult to process and I hope we will not get there because what the games needs is to have fans at the stadium.”

Tottenham have been forced to cancel matches, while other clubs have been left without players due to positive Covid-19 cases.