Could they void the PL due to the Coronavirus? | No | Resuming June 17th

[Adam-Utd]

The league is a race, hence why they always call it a "title race"

A race cannot be won unless it's finished. We either finish the rest of the games, cancel the Euros then start the new season immediately - or void the season, forget it happened and start a fresh next year.

While Liverpool are clearly very close to winning, they haven't yet won it. In their current form them might have lost the next few matches and then who knows? a major collapse could of been imminent.

As others have pointed out arguably more importantly is the 3 teams that would be relegated. Relegation is much more important than winning it IMO.

 

[AlwaysRed66]

How is it logical and fair when they haven’t met the requirements to win it?

They may have not met the requirements but it is 95% certain they would have won it, unlike any of the other decisions which are borderline, accept for Leicester reaching top four. That is why they have no real option but to null & void the season.

 

[Castia]

Liverpool are not a popular club with other fans, the idea that other teams fans will be "cheering them on" next season is laughable.

You can't just give them the title because they got close, they didn't win it!

Unless the season starts up again and they finish the job then they can't be champions, it's that simple.

Thats true but at some point be it in April, May or next January the football will start again and it will have to resume from here it’s the only way.

 

[tenpoless]

If They give it to Liverpool, They need to come up with a reasonable and fair result for the rest of the team too, particularly the ones fighting for CL spot and avoid relegation. Which means no solution. The most fair is to stop it due to pandemic (nobody can blame them as it involves people's health and lives) and start next season as usual, with every team starting with 0 point. If Liverpool are good and worthy of it,They'll win it next year anyway. No rewards for all, this is an emergency situation.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

There is also the Sky/BT etc problem, whereby the PL & UEFA are paid to supply a certain amount of televised games in a season. From what I can gather, if they don't fulfil this criteria the contracts don't need to be paid. Be interesting. Sky will have enough problems with probably their own customers demanding refunds & doubt will be to be pleased if the PL doesn't play ball. I wonder if they don't fulfil the contracts, the media companies might decide to draw up less favourable new ones.

This is a nightmare situation for all concerned whether fans, football clubs or media companies, & I am glad I wont be making the decisions, as it wont end well whatever they do.

According to todays papers both are refusing to make refunds to customers. I do not have Sky Sports but if things carry on I will be cancelling BT and if I have to pay extra to do it I will.

 

[SirAF]

If They give it to Liverpool, They need to come up with a reasonable and fair result for the rest of the team too, particularly the ones fighting for CL spot and avoid relegation. Which means no solution. The most fair is to stop it due to pandemic (nobody can blame them as it involves people's health and lives) and start next season as usual, with every team starting with 0 point. If Liverpool are good and worthy of it,They'll win it next year anyway. No rewards for all, this is an emergency situation.

And what about the teams that are in line to be promoted? Can’t give liverpool the title without giving the promotion to those teams.

 

[Buchan]

Can we get a poll set up outlining the possible season-deciding scenarios to see what way folk are leaning on this?

@Damien

 

[Acquire Me]

Meh, if that happens it will have a huge * next to it and be deemed basically worthless.

Yeah that would always be a huge *. It’s worthless. I would have a field day every time that league title was mentioned with my friends who support Liverpool.

 

[Brightonian]

Personally I think the season needs to be resumed from where it is now, and the following season moved/shortened/otherwise adjusted to make room. If we're talking fairness, it is surely fairer that the season that looks different, has different rules or a different structure than usual is the next one, such that every club can go into it on an equal footing and fully prepared. You have to try and preserve the pre-agreed rules and structure of this season as every team expected them to be, which means resuming after the interruption, however long it ends up being.

 

[Lay]

They can give the title to Liverpool. It’ll always be an asterisk title win

 

[Phurry]

To be honest I think they should let the prem continue with a greatly reduced crowd spaced out better, no one over 70 years old attending, and PPV for each game not televised.
In the end of the day, we're all taking risks going to work and to the shops etc.

In order to run a match you need stewards, police, paramedics, catering staff, grounds men, cleaners and gawd knows what else. Why should all those people be forced to run a risk in order to satisfy the needs of the PL?

Remember, football is entertainment and isn’t required for the world to continue; going to get food is a necessity.

 

[dwd]

They may have not met the requirements but it is 95% certain they would have won it, unlike any of the other decisions which are borderline, accept for Leicester reaching top four. That is why they have no real option but to null & void the season.

But they haven’t won it.

 

[Buchan]

Personally I think the season needs to be resumed from where it is now, and the following season moved/shortened/otherwise adjusted to make room. If we're talking fairness, it is surely fairer that the season that looks different, has different rules or a different structure than usual is the next one, such that every club can go into it on an equal footing and fully prepared. You have to try and preserve the pre-agreed rules and structure of this season as every team expected them to be, which means resuming after the interruption, however long it ends up being.

I agree. Last August, when the season kicked-off (in July for some clubs), there were pre-agreed rules and regulations about the structure of the season and its calendar. The fact this has interrupted that means that’s all it should be: an interruption. Unless football, and sport at large, is postponed for an inordinate amount of time (e.g. twelve months or more, if this situation deteriorates), we should be able to resume this season and then worry about the logistics of running competitions that have yet to even begin.

 

[tenpoless]

And what about the teams that are in line to be promoted? Can’t give liverpool the title without giving the promotion to those teams.

Indeed. Can't be fair only to Liverpool.

 

[Castia]

Personally I think the season needs to be resumed from where it is now, and the following season moved/shortened/otherwise adjusted to make room. If we're talking fairness, it is surely fairer that the season that looks different, has different rules or a different structure than usual is the next one, such that every club can go into it on an equal footing and fully prepared. You have to try and preserve the pre-agreed rules and structure of this season as every team expected them to be, which means resuming after the interruption, however long it ends up being.

This is what will happen. This season has to finish before we start a new one if that’s in 4 weeks or 4 months theres no way around it.

Euro’s aren’t going to happen now I’d say that’s almost certain, the players should use this time off has their unofficial summer break and expect little time off over the summer months.

 

[Whiskey Red]

League form could be used to decide the remaining games, what have the teams averaged over the last nine games and just add that to the total. Have a playoff for relegation and champ league/euro spots where the final difference is 3 points or something like that.

 

[Slops]

I would have a little respect for Klopp if sent a statement something like this;

'We should cancel the season as of now. Human life is much more important than 22 players kicking a football. There is no way we will want to be declared champions in this horrible situation. I believe in my team and this has motivated to go again next season and win all the 38 games and be proper champions".

This is what Fergie would have done.

 

[El Zoido]

Personally I think the season needs to be resumed from where it is now, and the following season moved/shortened/otherwise adjusted to make room. If we're talking fairness, it is surely fairer that the season that looks different, has different rules or a different structure than usual is the next one, such that every club can go into it on an equal footing and fully prepared. You have to try and preserve the pre-agreed rules and structure of this season as every team expected them to be, which means resuming after the interruption, however long it ends up being.

Not really fair on the teams now, that are in form now. The momentum of every team resets after the break. West Ham play Wolves and Spurs who are in middling/poor form. By the time they pick the fixtures up again, these teams could be in hot form and West Ham get relegated. Really the only actual fair way to do it is to write the whole season off and do it again next year. Give Liverpool the title to stop people moaning about how unfair it is.

 

[tenpoless]

Personally I think the season needs to be resumed from where it is now, and the following season moved/shortened/otherwise adjusted to make room. If we're talking fairness, it is surely fairer that the season that looks different, has different rules or a different structure than usual is the next one, such that every club can go into it on an equal footing and fully prepared. You have to try and preserve the pre-agreed rules and structure of this season as every team expected them to be, which means resuming after the interruption, however long it ends up being.

This will feck up the transfer window, players contracts and players future, though.

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

If they give Liverpool a title, that means PL season has finished, right? In that case they have to relegate 3 teams in the bottom of the table, if season is finished. If so then fifth team in the league gets CL if City gets ban. Right.
They can not give them a league, and keep relegation teams in the PL and give last years fifth team a CL spot. Either season is over or it is void. They can't make rules for one team that they like and screw the others.

 

[Zexstream]

We need to remember something here,

Liverpool have not won the title, yes they are close but they have not wont it.

If the season is over then they win nothing.

The most easiest, fairest and cleanest way to resolve this season is to null and void it. Yeah sure its tough but awarding someone a trophy or relegating teams when nobody has actually done such is madness.

We will be lucky to even start next season let alone finish this season, Boris seems hell bent on spreading the virus across the UK, with all the deaths that could be caused and the economic hardship we could be all in I doubt football will even matter by then.

 

[#07]

The main reason I think Liverpool won't be given the title is because it'll mean they'll have to say the table is final thus making all the decisions about relegation and European places and that will cause hell, no one fighting for those positions will agree to that.

If they're happy to accept a "you were very very close and probably would have won the title, well done xx" trophy then fine, but they'll be mocked even more than they already are and it'll be close to meaningless.

Exactly and it goes up and down the leagues.

Look how tight the race for the playoffs is in the Championship. Swansea are 3pts off the playoffs and Swansea are 11th in the Championship.

Anyone of those teams who is denied the opportunity at the £100m game will have grounds to lawyer up.

The Premier League, the EFL, UEFA all will likely spend years in court if they just try to pick winners.

 

[Smudge]

We need a vote

Season resumes at some point, liverpool win the title and we manage to get a champions league spot or season is null and void, we miss out on a champions league spot and liverpool miss out on the title.

Toughie?

 

[Slops]

We need a vote

Season resumes at some point, liverpool win the title and we manage to get a champions league spot or season is null and void, we miss out on a champions league spot and liverpool miss out on the title.

Toughie?

Easy. Us back in the Champions League by a mile.

 

[AlwaysRed66]

We need to remember something here,

Liverpool have not won the title, yes they are close but they have not wont it.

If the season is over then they win nothing.

The most easiest, fairest and cleanest way to resolve this season is to null and void it. Yeah sure its tough but awarding someone a trophy or relegating teams when nobody has actually done such is madness.

We will be lucky to even start next season let alone finish this season, Boris seems hell bent on spreading the virus across the UK, with all the deaths that could be caused and the economic hardship we could be all in I doubt football will even matter by then.

I agree that null & voiding the season would be correct.

Regarding Johnson & Government. I expect all the main countries in Europe have all got 100,000's of case whether locked down or not, so don't know what difference it makes now. USA has probably go millions.

 

[vidic blood & sand]

In order to run a match you need stewards, police, paramedics, catering staff, grounds men, cleaners and gawd knows what else. Why should all those people be forced to run a risk in order to satisfy the needs of the PL?

Remember, football is entertainment and isn’t required for the world to continue; going to get food is a necessity.

Entertainment is an industry that is no different from other industries. There may come a time when the nation will grind to halt in all industries, but not yet.

 

[Phurry]

Entertainment is an industry that is no different from other industries. There may come a time when the nation will grind to halt in all industries, but not

So, the answer here is to stop industries that aren’t actually key to the nation operating which consume resources that are necessary for important industries to continue.

For example, the NHS needs every available nurse, paramedic etc to be able to handle the situation; so why would you waste that resource, or risk exposing it to the virus, to provide cover at an entertainment event that doesn’t actually need to go ahead?

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

League form could be used to decide the remaining games, what have the teams averaged over the last nine games and just add that to the total. Have a playoff for relegation and champ league/euro spots where the final difference is 3 points or something like that.

I think United would do pretty well from that given recent form.

We need a vote

Season resumes at some point, liverpool win the title and we manage to get a champions league spot or season is null and void, we miss out on a champions league spot and liverpool miss out on the title.

Toughie?

There's an entire thread on this exact question

 

[Zlatan 7]

I rather give the league trophy to Liverpool. This season will always be a weird season. They will never be able to celebrate this properly.

Next season every common fan will be cheering them on. Not to mention all the commentators in every game. Then if they do win the league, which they most probably will, the wankfest will be crazy to handle. Rather just give it to them this season. Let the dust settle down.

No, no, no and fecking no.

What is wrong with people here? They havnt won it, in my mystic meg head they will be crap next year and a laughing stock, not cheered on.

Just give them the title is the most absurd thing I’ve read on here In a long time

 

[Dolf]

Another interesting question: when you 'null & void' the season, do the matches still count as played?
Let's say a player has a bonus in his contract that says he get's paid 1,000,000 GBP after 30 matches played. Technically the season never happened right? So no bonus?

 

[Zlatan 7]

Seems sensible to finish the season in the summer. Reduce next season in whatever way plausible, most likely the league cup.

When players are out of Contract and squads have changed? Doesn’t seem that sensible

 

[vidic blood & sand]

So, the answer here is to stop industries that aren’t actually key to the nation operating which consume resources that are necessary for important industries to continue.

For example, the NHS needs every available nurse, paramedic etc to be able to handle the situation; so why would you waste that resource, or risk exposing it to the virus, to provide cover at an entertainment event that doesn’t actually need to go ahead?

At the moment the numbers are still low. Pubs, restaurants, shopping centres are still functioning. The NHS is not too burdened at the moment because the number of cases are spread out nationwide.
Besides, with major crowd restrictions in place, the burden would be relatively low right now. Matches could also be subject to whether resources are available.
We all know that we could soon be plunged into full lockdown like Italy where we're all stuck at home, and then everything stops.

 

[Zlatan 7]

I am not saying they wouldn't - but it still wouldn't be right. I am just saying in my opinion - Liverpool deserve to win as much as I hate to admit it.

They’ve lost 4 or 5 of theirs last 6 games, getting beat 3-0, 4-2 etc. They look physically spent.
In my predicted future they lose a few more and then panic sets in and they lose a few more and blow the title.

But let’s just give them the title because they deserve it, jeeeez

 

[Dumbstar]

Another interesting question: when you 'null & void' the season, do the matches still count as played?
Let's say a player has a bonus in his contract that says he get's paid 1,000,000 GBP after 30 matches played. Technically the season never happened right? So no bonus?

Exactamundo. As it has become the cafe's go-to phrase: legal minefield.

 

[christinaa]

This situation is not only about Liverpool.
Many things have to be finalised and decided for Europe / Relegations / Promotions in all divisions etc etc etc.

Therefore : You can't argue with maths and maths presently says that NOTHING has been finalised - end of story.

 

[Zlatan 7]

I agree totally with you. The logical & fair decision is to give Liverpool the title, & most would agree with that, but it would cause repercussions throughout football, so easiest decision is to null & void season

No

They havnt got enough points to have won it ffs. What is wrong with people

 

[Dolf]

Exactamundo. As it has become the cafe's go-to phrase: legal minefield.

Definitely a legal minefield. But pretty much all options are. The only way to fix it is to play out the season, even if it's months from now. It's easier to change the rules/contracts of next season.

 

[FireballXL5]

No

They havnt got enough points to have won it ffs. What is wrong with people

Exactly. If the season can't be completed it's null and void. Even if Liverpool had mathematically won it and there was only one game to play....still null and void imo.

 

[Zlatan 7]

Definitely a legal minefield. But pretty much all options are. The only way to fix it is to play out the season, even if it's months from now. It's easier to change the rules/contracts of next season.

And then Liverpool, who have played the first 11 all year, run them into the ground, look knackered, on a losing streak get to have a nice 6 months rest and start again refreshed.

I don’t think so

 

[brian017]

We weren’t deemed champions in 2012 when we were 4 points away with 5 games to go