Finishing the season

That option was discussed on that hay podcast and surprisingly is probably fairest way of deciding outcomes. As they explained it, you stop now and use current table, it’s an obvious advantage to some clubs who could have had mainly top teams to play in remaining fixtures, whereas another club could have had mainly lower teams left and likely to get more points. Using the halfway marker eliminates all that as everyone would have played each other once. Not perfect, but undoubtedly fairest system

 

Never thought of it that way, so we either go up as R/U or Champs, I would take either.

 

That’s it. Possibly only thing that could scupper our hopes is pl not relegating anyone. If they don’t finish, they could do that

 

I think they have to finish the season. That might mean behind closed doors or ending it without a ball being kicked and making a decision on final standings. Void the season and it didn’t happen then Sky don’t have to pay for something that never happened and the first winner of a court case claiming back season ticket sales for a season that ‘never happened’ would set a precedent. Then next seasons European cup, that would mean last seasons standings deciding it.

You may well be right, we won’t see any football played but I feel voiding a season would cause too many financial risks. Using current standings, standings after the midway point or points per game, the only risk or court action would surely be from those relegated from the PL and maybe Championship? Compare that to voiding a season and having fans demand that season tickets are refunded, the teams missing on promotion threatening action, Liverpool threatening, Sky, BT Sport, Amazon, the damage would be 10x more problematic

 

This seems like fairest to me-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52507779

 

An increasing number of players and ex players are voicing their concerns about their safety if forced to play. Final final decision will be and should be with the players

 

Do supermarket workers, NHS, Rescue Workers, Pharmacists, Warehouse Workers, Delivery Drivers, doctors, people working in banks, mechanics, tyre fitters, refuse collectors, postmen, Carers, get a choice? It’s work or lose your job, why is it different for footballers? It could be the difference in saving their club from going under. If everyone is tested the day before and none of them have it how are they going to get infected?

 

Problem
Is if a footballer is not happy with setup and in proper frame of mind, he’s of no use to the team. We know only too well from experience how that can work. They must be 100% committed.

 

Because the decisions will be taken by the over-protective agents, who will no doubt work in tandem with the clubs insurers to make sure that they don't play to avoid the risk - not just the risk to the player's health, but the financial health of the insurance company if he dies. I would be very surprised if anyone will play unless the insurance companies say so. And for me, they'll only give approval if the premiums are raised ridiculously to meet the risk they envisage.

I really am very surprised that no journo has investigated this aspect. Either that or I'm completely wrong & the insurance companies aren't bothered. For the first time. Actually, thinking about it, it probably suits them to keep quiet, as there's no doubt a tiny clause that absolves them from paying out under these circumstances.

 

Insurance Companies looking for a loophole, surely not

 

And the have amazingly big loops and ****ing massive holes

 

Insurers are not touching covid19. Especially the big guns that cover the group schemes like Aon, AXA, and Bupa.
Pretty sure most Premiership clubs use Aon, and they have made.it crystal clear that anything Covid19 will not be covered.

 

Didn't know that, & to me, that's a deal-breaker - i.e. no club will take a chance without insurance. It ends all speculation for me.

 

What are they supposed to be insuring, a player dying from COVID19? So if a player catches it at home from a relative and drops dead, they’re not covered anyway. They turn up to the ground and get tested with everyone else, they have it they’re sent home, they don’t have it and they join the rest that don’t have it. The clubs are not insured either way against covid19?

The only danger is transmission on the pitch, if everyone is tested before they step out and everyone is 100% clear where is the risk of catching it coming from?

I see horse racing behind closed doors looks like going ahead in June.

*Edit* WJ looks like it’s been mentioned https://www.expressandstar.com/spor...players-catch-covid-19-when-football-returns/

 

Hadn't read that link, but you're right, he mentions it, however he doesn't examine it. He's talking more about extending contracts, really.

I don't know the ins & outs of insurance in the football world, but I do know that the players are all protected against enforced retirement from injury etc. So if a £100m+ player is forced to retire, his club receives a large part (or all) of his agreed value, and he & his agent will no doubt will get a substantial financial benefit too. This will be reflected in the premiums - basically if the club value him at £100m+, that's tough if the last time they negotiated his premiums & agreed on £20m. Tough Titty.).

To put this into context, if a player tests negative immediately before the game & positive afterwards, there will be hell to pay. If he dies, then we're into serious insurance territory. If, as TC says, the insurance companies are not covering Covid, then who covers the entitlement? Estate of player would no doubt sue the club, club would sue FA, & so it goes on. An absolute, and immeasurably expensive free-for-all.

Only 3 ways of avoiding this. Either stop football altogether until safe to resume. Or .....

1. Find an immediate cure for Covid.
2. Find a fairy godfather with £billions to underwrite for it all
3. Clubs pay ridiculously expensive additional Covid-only insurance premiums

There may be more ways, but as far as I'm concerned, you can forget football until one of the above happens.

And that's where the agents come in. Their primary job is to look after their cash-cow, sorry, client. The most important part of that is to keep him alive. Fully insured is a welcome 2nd choice He doesn't care as long he's compensated fully - which he'll have made sure he is, contractually.

 

It’s a grey area which I “might” have the answer for... The Government. I’ve just been researching insurance and Covid 19 in general and there is a constant mentioning of “if against Government advice”.

It could be why they (FA) are working so closely with the government to find an answer, the government and science lay down the stipulations, if you adhere to them then you’re deemed safe from risk? (I’m just guessing here).

 

Not normally bothered what happens in pl but finishing their season will have a huge impact on relegation and consequently our promotion. Watching the Sunday supplement and some very good balanced opinions. Many points I hadn’t even considered like how to keep social distancing at corners free kicks etc when players are marking each other carefully. Testing players every second day also worthless as tests are no way near 100% accurate. It’s clear there is no chance of football for a very long time. Our hopes are firmly on how the pl finish the competition and if they have relegation in whatever solution they come up with. Anything except voiding will suit us fine

 

Interesting developments form Germany.

Bundesliga clubs have returned to training and on Thursday 3 FC Cologne players tested positive for Covid 19 following routine testing (non were displaying symtoms). The infected players have been sent home to self isolate for 14 days and the rest of the squad will continue to train.

The desire to finish the season in Germany, whilst laudible, looks like it will be extremely problematic.

I guess there are 2 choices;

1) Continuous testing of squads and any players testing positive are removed and the training/games continue. This is what would normally happen if a player(s) had a cold or flu to protect the rest of the squad.

2) Decide that because of the fatalities caused by Covid 19 the risk to players is too great and therefore call football off entirely until there is a vaccine.

For professional football to be able survive option 2 players contracts would somehow have to be either cancelled or frozen until matches can resume. Option 1 on the other hand would be similar to just about every other business across the world as they look to survive and navigate through unprecedented times.

Trying to be realistic we're all at risk of catching Covid 19 until a vaccine is developed...personally I'd much rather be a footballer with constant testing and access to the best medical care than drive a London bus or work in a supermarket everyday.

 

I

I saw that too from Germany. In fairness not a massive shock. Better it happened early than after a couple of rounds of matches played and have to stop all over again

 

All the players are young men and statistically are at a much lower risk than most.

I'd be more worried about managers/coaches and referees and how to best protect them.