2 up and 2 down with 9 or 10 games to play. I just don't get that one. Cups may need to cancelled but we can just play the games when it's safe to do so. What's so difficult about that? There can't be Euro competitions next year anyway, surely.
By the time we get to the point where these games can be played safely there will be players whose contracts have expired, loan periods ended. We could presumably be without Darlow, Elliot, Bentaleb, Rose, Lazaro, Manquillo, Matty Longstaff, Colback & Carroll. I expect that if the season extends to a finish beyond end June the Premier League will not allow teams to sign new players until the season is completed but they cannot force players to stay beyond the end of their contracts. You could have the ridiculous situation where rival clubs agree a deal with out of contract players as long as they don't extend their contracts to the season end.
And the possibility that they can then play for three clubs in the same season and effectively have an impact on the league positions.
I’ve thought on this. I’m happy for Villa to escape and we have no relegations, and Liverpool to be awarded the league, but only if we are awarded the cup on goals scored. Otherwise no deal, and everything is cancelled with no winners.
No idea what the final decision will be either here or elsewhere. As you said, there is no perfect solution. I believe the two best scenarios are PPG or complete all fixtures as and when, but the first will horrify some clubs (notably Villa) while the second creates uncertainty and the dynamics of teams will have changed irrefutably. Better than the alternatives, however.
The 2019-20 Premier League season could be cancelled if clubs do not agree to play in neutral venues, says League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan. A vote is set to take place on Monday on proposals for a return to football. The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Bevan says "time isn't on our side and training needs to be in place very soon" for a return by 12 June. All 20 clubs are committed to playing the 92 remaining fixtures of the 2019-20 season if and when it is safe to do so. However, Brighton have said they are "not in favour" of using neutral venues because it may affect the "integrity" of the league. The neutral stadium proposal needs 14 out of the 20 clubs to vote in favour for it to be adopted. Asked if a vote against neutral venues would lead to the season's cancellation, Bevan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Yes, I think that probably is correct." He added: "The government, if they haven't already, will be making it clear that home matches with densely populated stadia, really puts into question whether social distancing rules can be adhered to."
What on earth does "the "integrity" of the league" mean?? "We think we will be relegated so we don't want to play" more like it!! Absolutely, putting self interest ahead of possible damage to the whole football structure. I have read other Clubs think the same (others who just happen to be in the relegation fight) but simply have not said it publicly yet.) Wonder why.
Exactly - just be honest and say "we don't want to play because we're crapping ourselves about being relegated"
Hilarious that the Cilla chief executive doesn’t want to go down the neutral venue route because it could lead to relegation. No you half wit. You lot being **** all season is the reason you may get relegated.
I don’t see why people are questioning the motive of clubs like Brighton. Clearly the integrity of the league is being compromised. How anyone can think otherwise is beyond me. If we were in their situation I’d be hoping our bosses would explore every avenue. I get that it’s the same for everyone, but the beauty of the league involves performing home and away. Some teams are formidable at home. If you rip that away from them, I’d argue you are disadvantaging that club. Don’t get me wrong it’s a unique situation but with the money involved and the potential long term damage, it’s a bit silly to suggest these clubs are acting selfishly. They are and should protect their club for the sake of their fans. The integrity of the league is compromised, that’s a fact because the goalposts are being moved mid season. If all 20 clubs agree to accept it for the sake of the league finishing, fair enough. But I would support any club who bucks the trend and protects their own interests.
Not too surprisingly I can’t agree. Firstly, i would be fascinated to know what “the integrity of the League” is supposed to actually mean. Just in simple terms without gazing into our own navels and examining them. Secondly, it is blatant self interest to the potential detriment of the entire football pyramid and truly has nothing to do with Brighton, and any others with the same view, being concerned about “the integrity of the league”. Let’s just call it what it really is. It would be silly not too. I can understand why Brighton and possibly others are attempting to block relegation but that doesn’t make it right. This is a unique situation and there is no one solution which will resolve the problems that are faced which everyone will agree with. The PL. should simply adopt a policy which is the fairest and most reasonable possible and which the relevant majority support and get on with implementing it. Strange how the German clubs were able to find a solution that was adopted even when some will “lose” out. I don’t have a problem with Brighton arguing their corner but if the majority decide against them then don’t go running off to Court and don’t pretend it’s got anything to do with the “ integrity of the league” whatever that means and that it’s not entirely down to self interest.
It’s just all a pathetic dance, football has now turned into politics. Cancel the season - impossible. Who qualifies for Europe becomes a huge issue with many legal ramifications and costs. End the season without relegation or promotion - legal issues from all lower divisions, with no real purpose. Impossible. Try and carry on the charade the season can be finished, in spite of the significant knock on effects of contracts, transfer windows, etc. Knock on effect is refunds from PL and it’s clubs. Impossible. End the season like France either instantly or with a PPG average for final positions, relegate two, promote two, no play offs, get the possible legal row from Villa thrown out. Only solution. Let’s not even pretend we dealt with the virus as well as Germany. We haven’t, we have under the bumbling bullshit of Boris made a ****ing pigs ear of things. We’re worse affected than France, for gods sake, so just put it to bed and plan to restart in September. Start the financial, TV, sponsor, etc., negotiations right bloody now to ensure clubs are protected and solvent for 20/21. So Villa and Norwich go down, tough ****. Leeds and West Brom deserve to come up. We will dilly and dally, have meetings about meetings, only to arrive at this inevitable conclusion waaaaaaay too late. I’m so sick of all things politic I could happily put on a V for Vendetta mask and go all Guy Fawkes on this stupid country.
Doesn't matter as they are not going to get this finished at any venue https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52605961 Coronavirus: Third Brighton player tests positive
This is my thoughts exactly. There is no real right solution that everyone will be happy with. The teams that may get relegated will not like it and nor should they. But tough ****. It is what it is.
It’s all about money. The broadcasters will want something back, as will outsourced contractors, season ticket holders, etc. The PL and clubs want to avoid the payback. That’s clear. Got **** all to do with “integrity” or any other political bullshit they try and use. The sad fact is they’re just going to have to deal with it. If that means selling some players, reducing some salaries, then that’s what they should ALL be doing. Stop with the greed and start acting reasonably and sensibly, to ensure things are more sustainable in future. It’s funny because the only thing that damages integrity would be removal of relegation. Yet that outcome is being discussed because the threat of Sky pulling back some money is infinitely more costly to some already obscenely rich people than the threat of just relegating Villa. They throw political words around to bamboozle the thick British people and it continues to work, **** knows how.
