[Albion] Premier League plans for the remainder of the season *** ALL FIXTURES POSTPONED 3rd April

[El Presidente]

Plus of course, there would be a massive backlash towards football clubs who - despite the huge amounts of money in the game - appear to be teetering on the edge of existence. It is absolutely shameful that professional football has allowed itself to get to this point. Driven by pure greed and egotistical twunts happy to gamble the future of clubs and their employees in search of the Premier league holy grail.

I'm not disagreeing but it is unusual that football players seem to be the lightning rod for excess. The bankers, accountants, fund managers, ratings agencies and lawyers who engineered the 2007 recession got off without any significant penalties, Duke of Westminster, the country's richest man who owns half of London refuses a rent amnesty for tenants during Covid-19 and so on.

 

[Simster]

I'm not disagreeing but it is unusual that football players seem to be the lightning rod for excess. The bankers, accountants, fund managers, ratings agencies and lawyers who engineered the 2007 recession got off without any significant penalties, Duke of Westminster, the country's richest man who owns half of London refuses a rent amnesty for tenants during Covid-19 and so on.

Oh my God is that true? That is absolutely disgusting.

 

[portslade seagull]

Oh my God is that true? That is absolutely disgusting.

And seriously what can he do with all that money. Can't take it with him. He could be a little forgiving with the rent situation. Greed is a horrid thing

 

[dazzer6666]

Wonder if there'll be a 'manic month' - in perhaps July if they can - of football..................all outstanding games to be completed, play 3 times a week behind closed doors..............

 

[kevo]

Wonder if there'll be a 'manic month' - in perhaps July if they can - of football..................all outstanding games to be completed, play 3 times a week behind closed doors..............

That would be pretty amazing actually. Just one really intense month to get everything done.

 

[Springal]

FA have advised Step 5 & 6 leagues are over. Still deciding what to do for promotions / relegations.

 

[GT49er]

FA have advised Step 5 & 6 leagues are over. Still deciding what to do for promotions / relegations.

Step 5? Is that the National League?

Sensible decision anyway.

 

[Change at Barnham]

I've just read this online by Steve Bone of the very prestigious Bognor Regis Observer.......

Isthmian League and Southern Combination football seasons set to be terminated.
The Isthmian League is set to be terminated - but it's not been decided whether it will be declared null and void or have final placings worked out on a points-per-game basis
The same is set to happen to the SCFL. It follows video conferences involving the FA and league officials on Moday night and Tuesday.
It is believed the National League - which runs the National premier, south and north divisions - the south division including Eastbourne Borough - wants to resume their 2019-20 season whenever possible.
But it looks like leagues lower down the ladder are not planning for a resumption.
The Isthmian League's likely move will leave Worthing and Hastings, among others, sweating on whether they will be promoted.

A statement by the Isthmian League on Tuesday afternoon said a message had been sent to all clubs by Nick Robinson, chair of the Isthmian League.
The league said: "It covers issues around how the season will end, player contracts and Government support. We don't propose to repeat all of the detail here as much of it will be of interest only to clubs, but the main points around discussions on how we end the season are worthy of sharing. Nick explains:
"The Alliance Leagues held the latest of several conference calls last night (Monday) after our own Board, and those of the Northern Premier and Southern Leagues, met over the weekend to determine how we wish to proceed. We have also participated in calls with the Step 5/6 clubs.
"The Step 3 and 4 Leagues share Clubs’ frustration that it is taking so long to determine whether the 2019/20 season is to end now, and if so on what basis. To maintain the integrity of our competitions, we ideally need to apply one solution across the whole of the National League System. However, this may not be possible.

"The Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues are unanimous in wanting to terminate the 2019-20 season immediately. The Step 5/6 Leagues also support the immediate termination of the season.
Whether that is done on the basis of determining final placings via average points per game, or the season is declared null & void cannot be determined until the National League decides how it wishes to proceed.
"Right now, the National League’s position is that they wish to be able to resume the 2019-20 season at some point. The feeder Leagues do not support this because our Clubs do not have the financial resources to continue to honour Player contracts indefinitely.
"The Step 3 and 4 Leagues have therefore commenced the process to terminate the season. This has to be ratified by the FA Council, so there may be a short delay as the relevant documentation is submitted, distributed and approved.

"Whilst this process is on-going, and once the National League has finalised how it wishes to proceed, competition issues can then be decided, together with the implications for promotion and relegation.
"As soon as the National League’s position is finalised, we will be able to confirm the basis on which the 2019-20 season has ended. As I have already pointed out, we need as much commonality across the National League System as possible.
"The FA is currently reviewing its Rules to understand whether any emergency changes are required for season 2019/2020 which impact on player contracts, registration deadlines and retention/offers of re-engagement in the National League System. Given the fast-moving nature of the existing situation this work is ongoing.
"Finally, at this very difficult time, I hope that you and your families will stay safe.'

The Non League Paper tweeted that the 'season termination' option - also with the possibility of declaring the season null and void or working out placings on a points per game basis - was also set to be agreed by step five and six of the non-league pyramid, which includes the SCFL.

 

[Change at Barnham]

That is actually a very bold and decisive move. My understanding is that all clubs at that level would struggle to honour contracted wages all the time the season was unfinished.
This decision provides certainty and allows the season to be officially ended and players contracts ended if they were season long.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I respectfully disagree.

What if it is not until this time next year that the world is ready for this stuff to start again?

If that were the case, then it feels like it would make perfect sense to pick up where we left off, with the only complication player contracts, specifically those that expire this June.

As such, a "wait and see" approach feels the right one for me.

However, in a years time some players *cough*Glenn*cough* may not have it in them anymore to continue playing.

I do think the longer this goes on, the more integrity of the competition is lost.

 

[Change at Barnham]

Guardian Article - Has the National League season ended?

 

[drew]

I respectfully disagree.

What if it is not until this time next year that the world is ready for this stuff to start again?

If that were the case, then it feels like it would make perfect sense to pick up where we left off, with the only complication player contracts, specifically those that expire this June.

As such, a "wait and see" approach feels the right one for me.

I respectfully disagree.

This season is over. ;What if' is phrase the EPL should consider seriously. I'm sure they have a number of contingencies but what they are not doing is informing everyone. If the season can't resume before the end of June but there is light at the end of the tunnel, they should plan for next season. If it looks like a year down the line then continue where we left off. However, player contracts are a major complication. Players whose contracts end in June may well have secured deals with new clubs for higher salaries. Which club should they finish this season with if it were played out this time next year? Could clubs in the relegation zone splash the cash on a superstar to get them out of a hole. What if other leagues start up before ours, could teams lose players whilst other teams keep theirs, eg one player due to sign for overseas club where the league starts sooner and another due to sign for another English club?

What is certain is that the EPL must have a rules in it's constitution should something like this happen again in the future so we all know where we stand.

 

[Easy 10]

Wonder if there'll be a 'manic month' - in perhaps July if they can - of football..................all outstanding games to be completed, play 3 times a week behind closed doors..............

I really think we need to step away from viewing this notion of "playing behind closed doors" as being some kind of solution to fulfil fixtures. Its all well and good for the TV audiences, but the players and staff are all putting themselves at a terrible risk of exposure to this virus. Forget the not-shaking-hands aspect at the start, that solves nothing. Once the game is on, players come into physical contact all over the show for 90 minutes. They collide, they sweat, they stand in walls together, they get treated by medics, they occupy dressing rooms, they sit on the bench together, they travel together.

And then afterwards, they all disperse again and rejoin their families. You only have to have a look at whats happening at Portsmouth, who played Arsenal not long after that Olympiakos game, to see how easily this virus can transfer. I don't see why footballers should put themselves at risk any more than anyone else, for our entertainment.

 

[Nixonator]

How long are we going to pretend that this season will be finished?

Yes, it's harsh on the likes of Coventry, Liverpool etc. I suspect it will piss many more clubs off if we attempt to cram a load of fixtures into a very small window just for the sake of a handful of clubs.

This season is over, there is simply no tenable way to complete it with any legitimacy whatsoever.

 

[neilbard]

My view is that the 2021/22 season will not take place and that the 2019/20 season will be completed at some point, all European countries will be in alignment so as Champions League and Europa League will also be completed.

Clubs will suspend direct debits and reimburse any season ticket monies taken for the 2020/21 season, just an educated view. This will allow the 2021 Euros to take place.

 

[jamie the seagull]

I think this season will be played out to a finish in July/Aug.
Following season can be truncated by Premier League not entering the Cabraro/FA Cup.
Reduction/Cancellation in the number of International breaks and their length (play one game not two and they are mid week)
Would also mean more mid-week fixtures.

 

[Swansman]

My view is that the 2021/22 season will not take place and that the 2019/20 season will be completed at some point, all European countries will be in alignment so as Champions League and Europa League will also be completed.

Clubs will suspend direct debits and reimburse any season ticket monies taken for the 2020/21 season, just an educated view. This will allow the 2021 Euros to take place.

Leave the poor 21/22 season alone!

The 20/21 season however is of course in danger. Its extremely hard to tell but I could see it either cancelled (to finish 19/20) or cut in half, like they've done in the US the times their professional sports leagues couldnt start because of failed Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.

 

[Eeyore]

Leave the poor 21/22 season alone!

The 20/21 season however is of course in danger. Its extremely hard to tell but I could see it either cancelled (to finish 19/20) or cut in half, like they've done in the US the times their professional sports leagues couldnt start because of failed Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.

No reason why the 20/21 season couldn't be reduced in match numbers. The teams played home and away are aggregated on the previous season. Not perfect, but a solution. Also might see the cups gain more favour.

 

[Eeyore]

How long are we going to pretend that this season will be finished?

Yes, it's harsh on the likes of Coventry, Liverpool etc. I suspect it will piss many more clubs off if we attempt to cram a load of fixtures into a very small window just for the sake of a handful of clubs.

This season is over, there is simply no tenable way to complete it with any legitimacy whatsoever.

LIverpool should be awarded the title. End of. I doubt any league club would take issue with that.

But, anyway, this season is ten matches from completion. Let next season suffer. No one is punished because a ball hasn't been kicked.

 

[Bodian]

I really think we need to step away from viewing this notion of "playing behind closed doors" as being some kind of solution to fulfil fixtures. Its all well and good for the TV audiences, but the players and staff are all putting themselves at a terrible risk of exposure to this virus. Forget the not-shaking-hands aspect at the start, that solves nothing. Once the game is on, players come into physical contact all over the show for 90 minutes. They collide, they sweat, they stand in walls together, they get treated by medics, they occupy dressing rooms, they sit on the bench together, they travel together.

And then afterwards, they all disperse again and rejoin their families. You only have to have a look at whats happening at Portsmouth, who played Arsenal not long after that Olympiakos game, to see how easily this virus can transfer. I don't see why footballers should put themselves at risk any more than anyone else, for our entertainment.

I'm sure there will be someone on here able to make a better joke than I am about our midfield maintaining a healthy 2m social distancing gap from the opposition......