UK: greyhound races to take place behind closed doors

Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) confirms races will still be held but without fans in attendance.

UK.- While most sports events are being postponed or cancelled amid the Coronavirus crisis, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has announced that it will continue to hold races but behind closed doors.

The measures comes into force with immediate effect at all races venues across the United Kingdom, except at the Shawfield Greyhound Stadium in Scotland, which falls under Scottish Law.

“We are likewise mindful of the health and wellbeing of everyone associated with British greyhound racing and of course our wider social responsibility to help minimise the transmission and impact of Covid-19,” GBGB managing director, Mark Bird, said.

“As a sport, we have therefore taken the collective decision to move all racing behind closed doors from today across our licensed stadia in England. We believe that this is the best way of the sport continuing to operate safely and successfully for the moment; minimising risk but maintaining the cash flow that is essential to everyone’s livelihoods and to the care of our greyhounds.”

Bird the association will work alongside stakeholders to offer support where it can.

“We will be working alongside track owners and promoters to support those most affected by this, with greyhounds being entered into graded races where possible in the short term,” Bird said.

“These measures will help to safeguard the welfare of our greyhounds by ensuring that, although, behind closed doors, racing continues wherever possible at this stage.

“However, as the situation develops at pace, we are also continuing to put in place contingencies and ring-fencing funds to support those working in the sport, should racing eventually need to pause altogether,” he added.