BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

FOOTBALL’S STRANGE EXPERIENCE

- LIAM CARSON

Football being played behind closed doors may seem a strange prospect for many players and fans alike, but for some of our first team squad, it’s a situation they have already experienced in their careers.

Football in England, as well as in many other nations across the world, is going through one of its biggest changes in the modern era as games temporarily go behind closed doors to combat the spread of COVID-19.

When our players return to the pitch tonight, they will do so in the first-ever behind-closed-doors match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as we look to limit the transmission of the virus through social-distancing measures.

But while this will be a strange experience for most, some of our senior campaigners have prior experience of what it will be like.

ERIC DIER, HARRY KANE AND HARRY WINKS

Croatia v England, UEFA Nations League, Rijeka

– 13 October, 2018

Eric Dier, Harry Kane and Harry Winks travelled out to Croatia with the England national team to compete against Croatia in the Nations League back in October, 2018, the former two completing the full 90 minutes with Winksy remaining an unused substitute. Following UEFA disciplinary measures, the game took place behind closed doors at Stadion HNK, Rijeka. There were no fans in the stands that night, neither were there any goals, with the contest finishing 0-0. Yet, for Eric, while that experience in the Balkan nation was certainly a bizarre one, he admits it was also something of a learning experience – especially in respect of the man opposing him in midfield – former Spurs playmaker Luka Modric.