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

[Blackwidow]

You think TV channels will let the league disintegrate like that? Destroy future income over a few games this season?

They will not pay if they do not have a product - and viewers will want their money back.

And I guess for the TV broadcasters it is less important which clubs play in the first league - the most interesting for them (apart from Schalke, but they will probably make it somehow) will survive...

 

[Dave Smith]

I think whatever the Dutch league decide will be the model. They are looking to do this tomorrow. If they do that, then put it through to UEFA and it gets agreed, then that will be what other leagues follow.

 

[UncleBob]

There's no real option that will leave everyone happy though.

Which is why UEFA should stay clear and allow the various leagues to decide on their own, the situation is bad enough as it is.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

I think whatever the Dutch league decide will be the model. They are looking to do this tomorrow. If they do that, then put it through to UEFA and it gets agreed, then that will be what other leagues follow.

It might be the start of leagues officially announcing they will finish.

however, why would the decision that is right for the Dutch league by implemented by other leagues. We can see throughout the world, every country is doing things differently. This is be no different.

 

[UncleBob]

If I were to guess, they will need to resort to some form of play off among these sides, and the same to decide relegation.

There's far too many complications. Who plays who, why is it more fair, and there will still be a large number of matches that needs to be organized.

 

[Random Task]

If current placings are final and Utd qualify for the CL as a result of City's ban and then go on to win it will there be an asterisk beside it? Asking for a friend.

We won't accept CL qualification unless it has bee earned legitimately. You can quote me on this.

We're United and we get what we want we do what's right.

 

[Random Task]

Yeah, I've changed my mind. I do not wish to be quoted.

Thanks.

 

[Dave Smith]

It might be the start of leagues officially announcing they will finish.

however, why would the decision that is right for the Dutch league by implemented by other leagues. We can see throughout the world, every country is doing things differently. This is be no different.

I only think this because the Dutch league is even more complicated than the PL and if UEFA agree to it, then everyone will have a blueprint.

 

[Darlington Padgett]

If current placings are final and Utd qualify for the CL as a result of City's ban and then go on to win it will there be an asterisk beside it? Asking for a friend.

If the tournament can't be complete and we are gifted the trophy yes, otherwise I don't think so.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

I only think this because the Dutch league is even more complicated than the PL and if UEFA agree to it, then everyone will have a blueprint.

I see your point, and think your right that there is more thought that needs to go into Holland in respect of who wins. I just think each country will make their own decisions.

 

[Sandikan]

The most glorious silver lining of this situation.

Their best case scenario: a hollow check mark in the history books and shouting YAWN from their windows.
Worst case: losing the title creates a complete implosion of mentality and identity. Mané goes to Real and VVD/Firmino/Salah all past their peaks in a team which will take another 30 years to recover.

Yep.
Noone will give it a second's praise as people will just care that the virus has gone, and football is back.

It'll wipe one of the finest title wins in a long time out of memories, and despite the massive lead, people will still be all "well, you got awarded it, you didn't actually win it" which is quite hilarious really, but it is what football fans do!

Like when fans blindly argue their player is the best in the league, and refuse to give anyone else any praise whatever the situation.

Very unlikely, but a voiding would make that Stevie G slip look like absolutely nothing in the scheme of comedic blowouts!

 

[Dave Smith]

If the league does end up voided and the Dippers do not win the league, this will literally be me as I rock up outside my Dipper friends houses in my car.

 

[Sandikan]

still not entirely sure what you think your point is, but you seem rather special

The clue is in his username!

 

[Finn MacCool]

didn’t Liverpool qualify for the CL when they weren’t entitled to, and the rules were changed to accommodate them?

I don’t need to make up a friend.

Point taken and that was well dodgy at the time. It was a stupid rule that the winners didn't qualify automatically but we didn't go on to win it anyway, which looking back with the benefit of hindsight may not have been a bad thing.

At that time one of the concerns was that no more than 4 teams from the same country could be represented. As it turned out Everton made sure that wasn't an issue by getting beat in the qualifying round anyway.

 

[Moiraine]

UEFA hasn’t said anything how they are going to conclude CL and EL if no further matches take place.

 

[UncleBob]

UEFA hasn’t said anything how they are going to conclude CL and EL if no further matches take place.

Lets just assume they'll give it to Liverpool

 

[Finn MacCool]

If the tournament can't be complete and we are gifted the trophy yes, otherwise I don't think so.

Ok I see how this works now. I'll tell my friend.

 

[MuFc_1992]

It's wishful thinking on my part because I live there but why don't they move the league to the countries that are on the verge of opening up such as Australia and New Zealand?. The logistics would be a nightmare and the governments of those would be reluctant but If UK is unlikely to open up for next 6 months than they can probably do something like move all the personnel there, quarentine them for 14 days and restart the league. I'm now going to bed at 3:30 am fantasizing about this incredibly unlikely scenario.

 

[stevoc]

It's almost like nobody at West Ham (including Moyes himself) trusts Moyes to keep them up?

Thats the sensible way to look at things to be honest.

 

[stevoc]

Cups will be cancelled surely, well FA cup given the Uefa plan seems to be to play remainder of europa and CL in August so seems to give chance for domestic leagues to get all league fixtures done in June if possible.

I'd cancel the FA cup purely due to playing a final at empty 90k Wembley seems ridiculous. Or perhaps delay it to this time next year but no guarentees everything will be back to normal by then.

If all the other competitions are being played out (big if) then i don't see why they would scrap a competition with only 3 one off rounds left (7 games) that could be played out in 1 week.

Is playing the FA Cup final with no fans any more ridiculous than playing the CL or EL finals with no fans?

 

[christinaa]

I suppose everyone queues in a nice orderly fashion when leaving at Anfield do they? 30k of people all leaving at the same time, pushing, showing, all trying to get out. Sounds like a great idea.

I do think we will see a staged return to full capacity ( I suppose you could start with games at the Eithad first) but it will need to be as safe for 30k people as for 60k people due to interactions in getting into the ground, getting out and getting on transport. Effectively it will be a PR exercise, as just having 50% of the crowd would clearly spread the virus.

how is not obvious that If you need to wear gloves, masks and not touch anything to watch a football match - the simple answer is not to go.

Do you really trust the typical football supporter to actually wash their hands when they go for a piss, not to jump up and down and hug people when someone scores, not to have spit coming out of their mouths when they are abusing the opposition. I don’t.

Didn't you know that at Anfield they do everything in the right and proper way?!

Ok I see how this works now. I'll tell my friend.

From the question asked, We can all see that your friend is a Liverpool fan - his/her IQ is rather weak.

 

[stevoc]

From the question asked, We can all see that your friend is a Liverpool fan - his/her IQ is rather weak.

Now, now no need for that. Criticise the post, not the posters imaginary friend.

 

[FootballHQ]

Sort of, as tests can be arranged privately.

Medical assistance is not a moot point though. Each ground has to have at least one fully crewed emergency ambulance on standby. If we are still deep in this pandemic there is no way the NHS can spare that.

Can only think it would be more acceptable to hold fixtures on neutral grounds like St Georges Park and Wembley so you cut that but I agree it's not been adequately explained yet what would happen if player broke their leg or had concussion as they'd obviously need to go to hospital.

 

[FootballHQ]

If all the other competitions are being played out (big if) then i don't see why they would scrap a competition with only 3 one off rounds left (7 games) that could be played out in 1 week.

Is playing the FA Cup final with no fans any more ridiculous than playing the CL or EL finals with no fans?

Depends what european finals are held. You saw in Baku last season for europa how souless it was for the few who travelled.

 

[thegregster]

 

[VP89]

There's far too many complications. Who plays who, why is it more fair, and there will still be a large number of matches that needs to be organized.

It's less complicated than trying to base it on current standings, where Sheffield have a game in hand and can go above us, where Chelsea could have ended outside the top 4, and so on. A play off among teams that had a feasible chance of top 4 would at least resolve the uncertainty there - i.e. limit it to say 4 teams, Wolves, Sheffield, Chelsea and Manchester United. Sure they need to draw a line somewhere and that's complicated, but it's less questionable than taking a snapshot as is.

 

[stevoc]

Depends what european finals are held. You saw in Baku last season for europa how souless it was for the few who travelled.

Im not sure I’m following mate. If there’s no fans in attendance what difference does it make where the match is held.

BCD games all have strange atmospheres. If the FA Cup is played out it doesn’t necessarily have to be held at Wembley.

 

[RobinLFC]

That’s utterly ridiculous and you know it.

you can’t even get everyone to queue property in a supermarket and that might be 50 people.

you are utterly insane if you think you are going to get 30k supporters queuing in an orderly fashion, on the way in and out of a stadium - doesn’t matter for which club.

what % of complete morons do you think there are in society? Let’s be honest, double or triple that and you’ve got the demographic of a football supporter. Would you trust all other people in the stadium not to be a dick? Seriously?

I wasn't advocating starting football up again with fans immediately. I'm talking about the time when, once it's considered safe again to have spectators, that'll (hopefully) happen in different phases and the first one will be limited capacity and, or so I'd hope at least, orderly waiting in line. Can't have all those people entering the stadium all at once, that's just not gonna happen anymore in the near future. They'll figure out solutions imo.

 

[FootballHQ]

Chief health official in Italy dosen't think covid would spread through football when it resumes.

The chief health official in Italy said there should be very little risk of COVID-19 spreading through playing football. “The contact isn’t solid enough.”


President of the Consiglio Superiore di Sanità Franco Locatelli made the comment during this evening’s press conference when asked about the football season resuming.


“I don’t think a football can represent a vehicle to spread coronavirus when there are 22 players, plus six who could come off the bench and three referees,” said Locatelli.


“You need solid contact and this doesn’t seem solid enough.”


Football is a contact sport, but the plan is to ensure through regular testing that players are not infected before they step on to the pitch.


The Lega Serie A is eager to resume training from May 4, when the Government is expected to ease the lockdown restrictions following a downward turn in the number of deaths, new cases and hospitalisations in Italy.


That trend has been going for several days now, figures that Locatelli called “comforting.”


A protocol has already been drawn up by the FIGC for how teams can resume training and eventually games, including regular testing of players and staff, keeping them in a training retreat and maintaining social distancing for the first week at least.

Also moving end of season to August 2nd.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

interesting development in Scotland that will have implications for all leagues...

Uefa added that if a league were to be ended early, then domestic organisers- in Scotland's case, the SPFL - will select teams to compete in next season's European competitions based on sporting merit and "on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52396490

So up to the individual country to decide who plays in Europe.

The two conditions where it’s acceptable to finish a league early are:

• Existence of an official order prohibiting sports events so that the domestic competitions cannot be completed before a date that would make it possible to complete the current season in good time before the next season to start.
• Insurmountable economic problems which make finishing the season impossible because it would put at risk the long-term financial stability of the domestic competition and/or clubs.

think this paves way for the season to end in the UK. How they do it, to be determined, but looks like we won’t be playing this season out - which has been obvious for some time in my opinion.

 

[UncleBob]

interesting development in Scotland that will have implications for all leagues...

Uefa added that if a league were to be ended early, then domestic organisers- in Scotland's case, the SPFL - will select teams to compete in next season's European competitions based on sporting merit and "on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52396490

So up to the individual country to decide who plays in Europe.

The two conditions where it’s acceptable to finish a league early are:

• Existence of an official order prohibiting sports events so that the domestic competitions cannot be completed before a date that would make it possible to complete the current season in good time before the next season to start.
• Insurmountable economic problems which make finishing the season impossible because it would put at risk the long-term financial stability of the domestic competition and/or clubs.

think this paves way for the season to end in the UK. How they do it, to be determined, but looks like we won’t be playing this season out - which has been obvious for some time in my opinion.

Nope.

 

[Redcy]

Chief health official in Italy dosen't think covid would spread through football when it resumes.



Also moving end of season to August 2nd.

Is this guy for real we already know we are talking about 200 people needed per game in most countries.

if they are anywhere near it can spread, then they go home to people who could have it, etc.

I’m not saying football can’t restart with right testing, but the idea it won’t spread in football matches even bcd?

 

[FootballHQ]

Is this guy for real we already know we are talking about 200 people needed per game in most countries.

if they are anywhere near it can spread, then they go home to people who could have it, etc.

I’m not saying football can’t restart with right testing, but the idea it won’t spread in football matches even bcd?

I assume Serie A players will be in training camps/grounds while they play out the games although of course they'll still be staff at those places.

 

[Redcy]

I assume Serie A players will be in training camps/grounds while they play out the games although of course they'll still be staff at those places.

OK I see that part now, so they are going to keep everyone isolated completely? OK I see that might work in principle as long as those people cannot come into contact with anyone. Like I have said elsewhere what happens when 5,6,7,8 players in a team catch it? Or an official or family member dies because they do it. Id love to see the corporate insurance policy for that.

 

[UncleBob]

It's less complicated than trying to base it on current standings, where Sheffield have a game in hand and can go above us, where Chelsea could have ended outside the top 4, and so on. A play off among teams that had a feasible chance of top 4 would at least resolve the uncertainty there - i.e. limit it to say 4 teams, Wolves, Sheffield, Chelsea and Manchester United. Sure they need to draw a line somewhere and that's complicated, but it's less questionable than taking a snapshot as is.

It's not. UEFA are more or less trying to force leagues to let the current standings be the final position unless it can be completed

Basing it on current standings is piss easy, you just do it.

For a play off, why would you only include Chelsea's 4th position . There's 27 points left to play for (30, for Arsenal). Arsenal are 13 points behind Leicester, but they still have to play them. Win the game in hand and win the game against Leicester and it's down to 7 points, while Leicester have to play Manchester United, Sheffield United and Tottenham.

Leicester: Bournemouth - Arsenal - Everton - Brighton - Man Utd - Sheffield U - Crystal Palace - Spurs - Watford

They can easily lose 5 out of those matches..

Leicester in 3rd aren't safe.

Essentially you'd have to involve Leicester, Chelsea, United, Sheffield, Tottenham, Arsenal, Wolves...

The amount of ifs and buts makes a playoff very difficult to sort out.

 

[Amir]

I assume Serie A players will be in training camps/grounds while they play out the games although of course they'll still be staff at those places.

It sounds good on paper, and it is their job and they are being well compensated for it, but we're talking about people being away from their families for about two months (including training before the season restarts). I doubt it's a reasonable thing to ask, especially right now.

 

[Luke1995]

IMO we should be prepared to be without football until 2021. Doctors and scientists still need time to study and understand how to threat that thing.

Just scrap this season and try to return in August 2021 with 2021-2022 season. Don't even try to have 2020-21 season.

 

[Dave Smith]

IMO we should be prepared to be without football until 2021. Doctors and scientists still need time to study and understand how to threat that thing.

Just scrap this season and try to return in August 2021 with 2021-2022 season. Don't even try to have 2020-21 season.

Do that a 70%+ of teams would go bust minimum. Now way is that happening in a million years.

 

[Greck]

If current placings are final and Utd qualify for the CL as a result of City's ban and then go on to win it will there be an asterisk beside it? Asking for a friend.

If current standings are final United don't get a CL spot. City's ban would have been stayed(suspended) till their appeal was concluded. An appeal that thanks to the virus will likely not be heard till God knows when

Only way is if between now and CL registration, they hear the appeal on an accelerated schedule or (b) someone in City amidst all the commotion forgot to file the appeal paperwork before the deadline and the ban stands unchallenged

...I think

 

[Megadrive Man]

IMO we should be prepared to be without football until 2021. Doctors and scientists still need time to study and understand how to threat that thing.

Just scrap this season and try to return in August 2021 with 2021-2022 season. Don't even try to have 2020-21 season.

I reckon about 10 clubs would survive under this proposal.