The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has confirmed that greyhound racing will continue behind closed doors, despite England entering a third national lockdown.
There were some doubts as to whether the sport would be allowed to go ahead after Prime Minister Boris Johnson tightened COVID-19 restrictions, but the GBGB said it has ‘not been informed of any intention to temporarily halt greyhound racing’ in a statement.
The sport has received significant financial backing from the government throughout the coronavirus crisis, with the GBGB benefitting from £1 million to protect its stakeholders and safeguard the sport’s welfare through the winter period when the government unveiled its winter survival package in November.
GBGB Managing Director, Mark Bird, commented on the official website: “I have seen the comments being made on social media regarding the apparent pausing of elite sports by the government.
“There appears to be no substance to these assertions and certainly not from the government. We remain in close contact with DCMS as to any changes in government advice.”
Last week, the Irish government confirmed that greyhound racing, along with elite sports, horse racing and approved equestrian events would be staged behind closed doors, despite new restrictions introduced to combat the virus.
