If you thought not touching your face was hard, trying being a social media coordinator for one of the biggest clubs in Europe right now.
By Friday, all major European soccer leagues had announced they were suspending play to prevent the spread of COVID-19, By Saturday, Twitter admins for Premier League teams were already losing it, unable to figure out how to cope with life without football. (They clearly didn’t read our guide.)
Some clubs were conspicuously quiet, like Liverpool, which is probably scared shitless about the prospect of losing out on its first-ever Premier League title. But many turned to social media to try to relieve some anxiety — only to make them seem more desperate.
Take, for example, Crystal Palace. A club with no real shot at winning a Premier League title anytime soon, the Eagles gladly retweeted some blokes who suggested they be crowned champs based on the last three matches. Desperate.
Finally a sensible solution https://t.co/Wi1XzzG4WR
— Steve Parish (@CEO4TAG) March 14, 2020
(Admittedly, as an Arsenal fan I would take that fifth-place finish, though I’d argue the Gunners deserve a playoff with Crystal Palace since they played one less game.)
Southampton tried to entice Norwich City into a game of tic-tac-toe (or noughts & crosses as the weirdos in England call it).
Hey, @NorwichCityFC!
We might as well have a game of something! Your move... pic.twitter.com/QPTYqkSy3U— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 14, 2020
Sadly, the Canaries didn’t bite.
Well, we've reached the interval.
In truth, only one team making any effort to play here, but we're still waiting for the first real breakthrough. pic.twitter.com/v9PYckI5x2— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 14, 2020
But an unlikely team stepped in to save the day.
Unprecedented scenes here, as a controversial substitution is made right at the start of the second half...
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 14, 2020
The match, as most do, ended in a boring draw. But it was something for these lonely admins to do for a little while.
Decent point on the road in the circumstances
Always here if you fancy a rematch!Take care, guys! pic.twitter.com/axUwlIQCOa
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 14, 2020
Over in Spain, where everyone has been asked to confine themselves to home, Barcelona changed the Twitter name for all of its handles to include “(from home).”
From the of the
Leo #Messi: "Now is the time to be responsible and stay at home.” #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/GhVjiTe4Na— FC Barcelona (from ) (@FCBarcelona) March 14, 2020
Meanwhile in Germany…
Soooo....what's everyone up to today? #SchalkeUS pic.twitter.com/iIPopA58oB
— Schalke 04 USA (@s04_us) March 14, 2020
No club was quite as stir crazy as Watford.
The Hornets were scheduled to host Leicester City on Saturday. With no real-life game, the club turned to Football Manager.
Watford was desperate for a realistic simulation, so much so the admin posted highlights of a 1-0 loss instead of doing what everyone else does, which is quit without saving and replay the match until you win.
The show must go on
Watford vs @LCFC brought to you by @FootballManager!Come on you 'Orns...#WATLEI pic.twitter.com/VFDaWJKDhg
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) March 14, 2020
Fortunately, one club remained on top of its game during these hard times, and of course it was @ASRomaEN, the best club Twitter feed in the world.
Italy and Rome have been hit hard by coronavirus, but Roma’s Twitter found ways to highlight the good in the world. The feed tried to raise money and highlighted Italians singing from their balconies to decrease cabin fever.
Locked down and bored? Whether you’re in Rome or anywhere else in the world, reply with an #ASRoma balcony video and we’ll send a signed shirt to the best one we see pic.twitter.com/Awt40jMM97
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) March 14, 2020
The Twitter world needs more Romas at this time and fewer Watfords.
