Kettering manager Paul Cox has been speaking about the possible effects after his mid-fielder Alastair Smith was reported to have a high fever last Saturday morning. He feels a 'proper decision' needs to be made about forthcoming fixtures.
Kettering's game with Telford went ahead. Hereford had played Kettering the previous Tuesday evening.
"There was a strange feel about the day, it has been a bit surreal if I am being totally honest," said Cox.
“I got the call from Ali this morning and he said he had collapsed and he had a really high fever.
“And then, on the way to our game, we were hearing of games being called off right, left and centre in our league and the National League at midday.
“I told the referee about it and they gave us the opportunity to call it off but Telford wanted to play and, in truth, so did we because there were a lot of people who had paid money.
“It was a poor performance from us and I haven’t said that very often, but I think this thing is bigger than sport to be honest.
“I am actually surprised that we were one of the few leagues in world football that are still competing. I thought it was a strange call to start with.
“I think people need to take a serious look at it. We are talking about the health of people.
“A big decision needs to be made. Ali has been training with our boys, he’s been sharing cars and this illness that he has, whatever it is, is going to be in our camp now. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we get more cases.
“There are bigger things than football and the National League have got to make a proper decision.
“We can’t say we are going along with it and then teams are calling games off. A proper decision needs to be made and we all need to adhere to it.
“Whether
it’s a case of getting through it or stopping for a while, that’s a
decision that has to be made. But you can’t say the leagues are on and
then half the teams turn up and half of them don’t.”