I just watched BBC national and local news both truncated. The former quoted the new figures and that tiers might be changed tomorrow and that the effect Christmas had yet to be assessed.
NW news had a story that the Rochdale club doctor thought football should be cancelled and other lower league clubs were having matches postponed. Then it mentioned Citys match was cancelled 'at the last minute' with that sounding more critical than informative. No mention in either bulletin about how playing on adds extra potential for spreading the disease and also adds to the perception of many that it is not so important to follow the rules.
It strikes me that if say a footballing Knight of the Realm, vulnerable through age and hospital admission, were to speak out against the folly of playing, it might carry some weight. But with new year parties due very soon, that ain't going to happen.