Coronavirus UK: Gareth Southgate urges country to come together with letter to England supporters a

Gareth Southgate has penned an emotional letter to England supporters, urging the country to come together in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Three Lions boss was due to lead his side into two friendlies against Italy and Denamrk this month in the build up to Euro 2020, but those have been axed and the tournament postponed by a year.

Southgate’s squad would have been due to meet up next week under usual circumstances, but with no games to be played – and no realistic estimate set as to when they may take to the pitch again – the former defender has written to fans asking them to focus on what is really important at this moment in time.  

‘For Everyone in our country, the primary focus of the present – and the coming months – is undoubtedly to look after our families, support our communities and work together to come through what is clearly the most extreme test that we’ve faced collectively in decades,’ he said in a note posted to Twitter by England’s official account.   

‘In the way you’ve all come together to support our team, we must now work together to combat a virus that is causing physical and emotional issues to so many.

‘Look out for each other, please don’t suffer alone, and remember that our great country has come through these enormous challenges before – and, together, we will do so again.

‘We were due to play next week and to represent you all this summer, but now is clearly not the moment for us to take centre-stage. The heroes will be the men and women who continue working tirelessly in our hosptials and medical centres to look after our friends and families.

‘When we play again as an England team, it will be at a time when not only our country but the rest of the world as well is on the road to recovery.

Hopefully we will be closer to each other than ever, and ready for the beautiful distraction that football can bring.’

With the tournament postponed for a full 12 months, there may be cocnern among the playing squad that their last chance to make a major tournament has been pulled from under their feet.

However, Southgate sought to reassure those players coming to the end of their international days that the moving of the tournament will not affect their selection chances in the slightest.  

‘To play in a European Championship next summer will still be possible for all our squad, so we shouldn’t spend another moment thinking about the postponement of the competition,’ he added.