The FFS guide to watching live sport while wearing a face mask.
As the Finnish football season draws to a close, the Finnish Football Show shares some tips for getting the best of the live football experience, while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
Photos taken on location at OmaSp Stadion, Seinäjoki and Olympiastadion, Helsinki. Thanks to Mark H, Satu, Billy, Julian, Tim and Justin for the modelling work.
Basic Tips
ALWAYS WEAR A MASK
If you want to go to football and the rules are that you need to wear a mask… then wear the mask. Just do it. Better still, try to find one in your team colours. #BlackAndGold
LOWER THE MASK TO DRINK
Sounds obvious, but pull it down as opposed to lifting it up. If you lift it you run the risk of pouring beer onto the mask. Drop it momentarily, take a sip, then raise it back up over your nose and mouth.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
There are signs everywhere reminding you to observe social distancing guidance. Although you may be very good friends with your football drinking buddies, you still need to put a little space between each other.
PRO TIPS
LEAVE YOUR GLASSES AT HOME
Not easy for everyone, but of you have contact lenses we recommend you use them with your mask. Otherwise your glasses will spend most of the game steamed up by your own breath and your view will look something like this ➡️
Uber-pro tip: Not wearing your glasses will affect your vision!!
TAKE MULTIPLE MASKS
In milder weather one mask might be enough, but as it turns colder…
Cold air + hot breath = soggy mask
Especially if you are in the ‘singing section’ and expel a lot of air during the game! Take a few masks and change them when the inside of your mask resembles a tropical rainforest!
REMEMBER YOUR MINTS
Trust us, you really don’t want to be trapped inside a face mask for 2 hours, with a constant reminder of your dinner, halftime cup of coffee or that spicy chicken burger procured from the van outside the stadium. 😷
PREPARE FOR THE AFTER EFFECTS!
Even if you follow these tips, it is possible you will wake up the next day with a dry throat. Don’t panic, it is probably just the after effects of two hours of singing, shouting and cursing into a face mask. In my experience, that will fade after a day or so and will be soothed by a mug of hot honey, lemon and ginger. If it persists, that may be a good time to seek medical advice. Remember to keep yourself, your family and your fellow fans safe!
What is your experience? Have you been to football during the COVID era? Do you have any tips to share? Send us an email at finnishfootballshow@gmail.com with a photograph. If we receive enough, maybe we’ll publish a second edition of this guide.
The Finnish Football Show 