Decision time ?

[Bigmackem]

It is looking more and more likely that the Football Leagues will not be completed due to the Corona Virus and rather than let things drag on a decision needs to be made sooner rather than later . I think that expunging the results as has happened with the non-league which now looks likely to be appealed by a number of clubs is wrong , one of the best ideas that has been mentioned is making it a Two season competition where the points gained so far are carried over and added to next years league totals . Even this would have anomaly’s with clubs having games in hand , having an average used to give a fair points total . At least teams such as Liverpool , Leeds etc would go in to next season with an advantage as a reward for the season so far . I don’t think you will come up with something to keep everyone happy but this is more sensible than just writing last season’s efforts off in my opinion .

Anyone else got any thoughts ???

 

[flandersmackem]

so Many issues, would hate to be the person to deliver the news, whatever it is... First thing in my mind for the premiere league... who qualifies for Europe...it’s a nightmare and I can see court action whatever the authorities say

 

[Comfy]

As already said I would also hate to be the harbinger of bad news if this season was cancelled not that I would want that as i think it should be finished somehow but I cannot get my head around these teams saying they’ll take it to court and sue appropriate associations, maybe someone who is more informed can explain to me how would it be illegal if they did cancel the season and on what grounds they could take it to court.

 

[Sandy Camel]

Looking at how this situation is developing, I'm not sure this will be over by the time next season is due to start. My take would be to finish this season, even if it meant it didn't pick back up again until October and ran till Christmas. Mainly because I see this disruption going into the time frame for next season anyways and if that is going to happen, might as well finish this one imo. I'm actually a bit more concerned for clubs as a whole rather than completing fixtures though as I think a fair few will go out of business.

 

[flandersmackem]

As already said I would also hate to be the harbinger of bad news if this season was cancelled not that I would want that as i think it should be finished somehow but I cannot get my head around these teams saying they’ll take it to court and sue appropriate associations, maybe someone who is more informed can explain to me how would it be illegal if they did cancel the season and on what grounds they could take it to court.

It will be all about money mate. Football is 100% about cash, the likes of Leeds, WBA will probably the 1st in line to go to court. Somehow they will want a resolution to the end of this season as the rewards in the PL will be many many millions of pounds. Then those teams who miss out on potential Champion league places..Again, Millions in potential revenue. Its a nightmare

 

[The Norton Cat]

Maybe it would be best to finish the season off by working out the final table on points per game basis, as was suggested for Steps 3-6. Personally, I think that expunging the results was the right thing to do at that level. Maybe higher up, due to the more pressing need to have a final result, points per game is the way forward. The result would, at least, then be based on sporting achievement over the course of that part of the season that was playable.

 

[Confucius]

There are all sorts of complications, like we won’t have a team by July when contracts run out. When all is said and done, finishing a league season isn’t priority. I worry about society getting back to normal, local shops, businesses, pubs, etc. and the fact that not everyone is going to get through this.

 

[Sam Handwich]

Just restart the season one year on from the postponement date.
Teams could play friendlies before and after xmas to (a) gain revenue and (b) gain fitness. Cant see anything starting up till Sept/Oct anyway

 

[E.T. Fairfax]

Finish this season, then do a half season next season

 

[Smug in Boots]

It is looking more and more likely that the Football Leagues will not be completed due to the Corona Virus and rather than let things drag on a decision needs to be made sooner rather than later . I think that expunging the results as has happened with the non-league which now looks likely to be appealed by a number of clubs is wrong , one of the best ideas that has been mentioned is making it a Two season competition where the points gained so far are carried over and added to next years league totals . Even this would have anomaly’s with clubs having games in hand , having an average used to give a fair points total . At least teams such as Liverpool , Leeds etc would go in to next season with an advantage as a reward for the season so far . I don’t think you will come up with something to keep everyone happy but this is more sensible than just writing last season’s efforts off in my opinion .

Anyone else got any thoughts ???

I've looked at all of the suggestions and some look fair and reasonable at first glance ...

... but on close examination they're just too messy.

I honestly believe the 'elastoplast' route will be taken and the season will be voided.

Everyone has to grow up and accept that it's not fair but that's tough. We're in the midst of a modern day plague where silver trophies and finishing at the top of a group of other teams is irrelevant.

Life's not always fair as the Corona virus victims show.

Instead of squabbling over contracts and money the clubs, authorities and everyone else concerned should accept that this season is done. Shoving it onto next season would only serve to ruin that as well. There would be no title chase, it would be over before it started and therefore a total anticlimax.

Every narrow promotion or relegation would be endlessly tarred by the virus brush.

Life sometimes isn't fair but no one ever said it was.

 

[Ozzymac]

The European qualification will be the main thing. How do UEFA get all the leagues to agree as to which teams qualify.

My gut feeling is that the European seasons will be cancelled with no winners, promotions and relegations. Last seasons qualifiers will qualify for Europe and this season will just be forgotten. Only people i can see getting uspet are Liverpool and Leeds fans, no real loss.

 

[flandersmackem]

I've looked at all of the suggestions and some look fair and reasonable at first glance ...

... but on close examination they're just too messy.

I honestly believe the 'elastoplast' route will be taken and the season will be voided.

Everyone has to grow up and accept that it's not fair but that's tough. We're in the midst of a modern day plague where silver trophies and finishing at the top of a group of other teams is irrelevant.

Life's not always fair as the Corona virus victims show.

Instead of squabbling over contracts and money the clubs, authorities and everyone else concerned should accept that this season is done. Shoving it onto next season would only serve to ruin that as well. There would be no title chase, it would be over before it started and therefore a total anticlimax.

Every narrow promotion or relegation would be endlessly tarred by the virus brush.

Life sometimes isn't fair but no one ever said it was.

I couldn't agree more with all you have written, but owners of Football clubs are special breed of morons and I just have a feeling that they will fight any attempt to wipe out this season. But as I said, I agree with your words, Football right now is an utter irrelevance

 

[sheepman]

Been through every possible scenario and can't come up with a solution that feels right to be honest.
However due to the escalation and seriousness of the current situation I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that
maybe the season should just be written off.
A lot of talk now about preventing a re occurrence so even if the lockdown is slowly lifted
I can't see any supporters being allowed in until end of the summer maybe September.
So all games would have to be behind closed doors. But then that would also rely on teams having a full fit squad.
Add to that player contract situations and whether there is a transfer window. The whole thing is a mess.

Tend to agree with Smug and Flanders Football right now is an utter irrelevance

 

[Sunderpitt]

If there were 30 games to play... yep write the season off.

However as there are only say 9 or 10 games left to play...could be done in 3 or 4 weeks.

Then take Liverpool, they may need only to play 4/5 games to flinch title...

 

[Smug in Boots]

If there were 30 games to play... yep write the season off.

However as there are only say 9 or 10 games left to play...could be done in 3 or 4 weeks.

Then take Liverpool, they may need only to play 4/5 games to flinch title...

That's a fair point but you'd have to have every team in every league play every game.

With domestic cups and play offs it could actually take 2 months and there would be endless pointless games.

You can't play out the league for Liverpool but deny Newcastle the chance to win the Cup can you.

It could seem that it's mainly so Liverpool can take the title they've already virtually won.

I'd have more sympathy if it was a club which has never won the title before ...

... Liverpool have won it before and will win it again.

They're big boys, they'll get over it.

 

[Sunderpitt]

Not sure it is just about Liverpool, nor does it have to be about cups, necessarily. I think I would just concentrate on promotion/relegation issues not all games need be played...

 

[Smug in Boots]

Not sure it is just about Liverpool, nor does it have to be about cups, necessarily. I think I would just concentrate on promotion/relegation issues not all games need be played...

If you're allowing Liverpool the chance to win the league you'd have to allow Newcastle a crack at the Cup ...

... there's a big trophy, history and a European place at stake.

You could easily argue that's more important to Newcastle than the league is to Liverpool.

 

[Sunderpitt]

If you're allowing Liverpool the chance to win the league you'd have to allow Newcastle a crack at the Cup ...

... there's a big trophy, history and a European place at stake.

You could easily argue that's more important to Newcastle than the league is to Liverpool.

Yeah but the skunks will never win the cup, so they are a bad example. Turd division finalists in the tinpot cup are another thing of course?

 

[sheepman]

Not sure it is just about Liverpool, nor does it have to be about cups, necessarily. I think I would just concentrate on promotion/relegation issues not all games need be played...

If you're going to play any games, you would need to find a way to play them all.
In our league a lot of teams have 10 games left, which means even Tranmere who are third bottom can theoretically get 62 points.
Would need a good 5/6 weeks to finish the season playing 2 a week
Can't see them being allowed to play until sometime in June / July at the earliest
Then its behind closed doors OK for the premier with TV money, but lower league rely on match day money to pay the wages
They couldn't afford to play behind closed doors.
Then there is the issue of contracts, the transfer window and starting next season.

Playing the season out would obviously be the fairest, but I just struggling to see how it would work

 

[Sunderpitt]

If you're going to play any games, you would need to find a way to play them all.
In our league a lot of teams have 10 games left, which means even Tranmere who are third bottom can theoretically get 62 points.
Would need a good 5/6 weeks to finish the season playing 2 a week
Can't see them being allowed to play until sometime in June / July at the earliest
Then its behind closed doors OK for the premier with TV money, but lower league rely on match day money to pay the wages
They couldn't afford to play behind closed doors.
Then there is the issue of contracts, the transfer window and starting next season.

Playing the season out would obviously be the fairest, but I just struggling to see how it would work

Well Sunderland could do a deal for fans to use SAFCSEE home and away (I have not noticed any mention of refunds for season ticket holders). Also I reckon just play then two days off, play again etc. The players cannot complain as they have had a big break. Also this sort of timetable should suit TV... lots of games every day played all through the day, have to be careful of any dodgy Coventry set ups for promotion/relegation.