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

[Seasidesage]

This season has to finish IMO for the integrity of the competition. Imagine if we were in the bottom 3 now? Would you accept relegation even in these exceptional circumstances? If you owned one of these clubs would you accept the loss of revenue, the loss of your best players, the struggle to get back into the PL with no guarantee of success? If you are near the top of your respective division would you accept not being promoted despite being the form team with just a few games left? Of course you won't. If they suspend the season, next season won't start anyway because it'll be tied up in the courts...

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

This season has to finish IMO for the integrity of the competition. Imagine if we were in the bottom 3 now? Would you accept relegation even in these exceptional circumstances? If you owned one of these clubs would you accept the loss of revenue, the loss of your best players, the struggle to get back into the PL with no guarantee of success? If you are near the top of your respective division would you accept not being promoted despite being the form team with just a few games left? Of course you won't. If they suspend the season, next season won't start anyway because it'll be tied up in the courts...

The integrity of the season is already gone if we play 1/4 of the games behind closed doors with no home advantage in matches between relegation rivals.

The integrity of the season is already gone once players become out of contract, and forcing them to stay would be impossible due to the Bosman ruling.


Complete the season in July, August and beyond by all means, but it could not be claimed it would have any integrity left.

 

[Seasidesage]

The integrity of the season is already gone if we play 1/4 of the games behind closed doors with no home advantage in matches between relegation rivals.

The integrity of the season is already gone once players become out of contract, and forcing them to stay would be impossible due to the Bosman ruling.


Complete the season in July, August and beyond by all means, but it could not be claimed it would have any integrity left.

Not prefect for sure but the alternative of disallowing a quarter of the season completely is even more ridiculous.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Not prefect for sure but the alternative of disallowing a quarter of the season completely is even more ridiculous.

I think that it is perfectly possible to play the rest of the season behind closed doors but only if relegation is voided ( for being totally unfair in that situation ).


Behind closed doors matches are a punishment, not a fair level playing field.

 

[East Staffs Gull]

We hear a lot about the £765m which will be forfeited if the season doesn't finish.

But... if we void the season, this amount is covered by clubs slashing their transfer budgets once the new season money arrives.

So a bit of a red herring, pushed by those pundits who want Liverpool to win the title.

Void the season now, slash summer transfer budgets. Focus on next season and recovery.

Total PL TV money is approximately £2.5b this season. Of this, about £0.4b is in respect of merit payments, i.e. league position (worth about £2m per position). I imagine that sensible clubs budget for their share of the guaranteed payments, but not for any merit payment. Clubs should therefore be able to absorb £400m of any shortfall in TV money.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

This season has to finish IMO for the integrity of the competition. Imagine if we were in the bottom 3 now? Would you accept relegation even in these exceptional circumstances? If you owned one of these clubs would you accept the loss of revenue, the loss of your best players, the struggle to get back into the PL with no guarantee of success? If you are near the top of your respective division would you accept not being promoted despite being the form team with just a few games left? Of course you won't. If they suspend the season, next season won't start anyway because it'll be tied up in the courts...

Thing is, it doesn’t matter whether you (or anyone else) accept it or not. If that is what is deemed necessary, that is what will happen.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

If it were me in charge. Season declared finished at current average points.
No relegation from PL. Two clubs up from Chumpionship. Play offs are a lottery anyway so no playoffs and no promotion for a third team.
Next year Premier league 4 down only two up from championship.
Net result 20/21 season 22 club pl, 21/22 season 20 club pl

Similar thoughout the league pyramid, with no relegation, but increased relegation in 21/22 to realign the leagues.

Cup comps next year to be culled in the order of League cup, fl trophy, fa cup depending on when football can return

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

If it were me in charge. Season declared finished at current average points.
No relegation from PL. Two clubs up from Chumpionship. Play offs are a lottery anyway so no playoffs and no promotion for a third team.
Next year Premier league 4 down only two up from championship.
Net result 20/21 season 22 club pl, 21/22 season 20 club pl

Similar thoughout the league pyramid, with no relegation, but increased relegation in 21/22 to realign the leagues.

Cup comps next year to be culled in the order of League cup, fl trophy, fa cup depending on when football can return

Indeed. I agree with that as the least worst solution.


I'd also get the Man City v Liverpool game played behind closed doors, get the refs to fix a Liverpool win, and shut up the Liverpool connected pundits constantly harping on about finishing the season*.

* - not necessarily serious about this paragraph.

 

[amexer]

This season has to finish IMO for the integrity of the competition. Imagine if we were in the bottom 3 now? Would you accept relegation even in these exceptional circumstances? If you owned one of these clubs would you accept the loss of revenue, the loss of your best players, the struggle to get back into the PL with no guarantee of success? If you are near the top of your respective division would you accept not being promoted despite being the form team with just a few games left? Of course you won't. If they suspend the season, next season won't start anyway because it'll be tied up in the courts...

Sod the integrity of football. Compared with whats going on to peoples lives and jobs football is of no importance. It may be unfortunate for clubs at tops of leagues but so what. You cannot have this season finishing in July or August as that is next season messed up as well. One game behind closed door ok but 8 or nine is a joke. Has to be void

 

[drew]

This season has to finish IMO for the integrity of the competition. Imagine if we were in the bottom 3 now? Would you accept relegation even in these exceptional circumstances? If you owned one of these clubs would you accept the loss of revenue, the loss of your best players, the struggle to get back into the PL with no guarantee of success? If you are near the top of your respective division would you accept not being promoted despite being the form team with just a few games left? Of course you won't. If they suspend the season, next season won't start anyway because it'll be tied up in the courts...

If the season is declared void there would be no relegation or promotion. Teams would start the next season (assuming it starts later this year) as they started this one, The EPL will also need to establish rules in case a similar situation arises in the future.

 

[Seasidesage]

Thing is, it doesn’t matter whether you (or anyone else) accept it or not. If that is what is deemed necessary, that is what will happen.

It does matter whether the owners accept it or not. I can't do anything about it, multi millionaires on the other hand can and will sue...

 

[Official Old Man]

I've seen an option of finish this season even if it goes into September and then play only 19 games next season. How would that work. Bottom team (would be Leeds or WBA) play top team away 2nd H 3rd A etc.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

It does matter whether the owners accept it or not. I can't do anything about it, multi millionaires on the other hand can and will sue...

And multi millionaires may sue if they get relegated without home crowds in relegation deciders, after there were home crowds in the reverse fixtures...

 

[GT49er]

This season has to finish IMO for the integrity of the competition. Imagine if we were in the bottom 3 now? Would you accept relegation even in these exceptional circumstances? If you owned one of these clubs would you accept the loss of revenue, the loss of your best players, the struggle to get back into the PL with no guarantee of success? If you are near the top of your respective division would you accept not being promoted despite being the form team with just a few games left? Of course you won't. If they suspend the season, next season won't start anyway because it'll be tied up in the courts...

The season would of course have to finish - of there wasn't a pandemic going on. Unfortunately, the fact is that there is one. That trumps the need for 'the integrity of the competition'. And it won't be a case of if they void the season - coronavirus has done that, and the emergency measures made law by the government apply to football just as much as they apply to everybody else. The season will have to be avoided - and you can't sue a pandemic!

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

It does matter whether the owners accept it or not. I can't do anything about it, multi millionaires on the other hand can and will sue...

Season 1939/40 was voided. In everyone’s interest (apart from Liverpool) so perhaps the most likely option. There would be no relegation. Championship clubs cannot sue the Premier League because they are not members. The Albion have a head start on season ticket refunds because of the 3 month payment holiday. The biggest downside would be that Ali J’s goal against Chelsea would never have happened.

 

[ozzygull]

If the season can not be played out how about to confirm the league positions, they have a penalty shoot out to decide who win the games. It could be done and dusted very quickly. Pick five players from each team plus goal keeper test them for the virus if clear they can play the shootout at Wembley. It could be completed in a day. No arguments, but could be exciting to watch if televised. probably a stupid idea, just a thought.

 

[Icy Gull]

If the season can not be played out how about to confirm the league positions, they have a penalty shoot out to decide who win the games. It could be done and dusted very quickly. Pick five players from each team plus goal keeper test them for the virus if clear they can play the shootout at Wembley. It could be completed in a day. No arguments, but could be exciting to watch if televised. probably a stupid idea, just a thought.

That is up there with [MENTION=30752]NooBHA[/MENTION] suggestion. Never going to happen and more importantly, nor should it imo

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

The integrity of the season is already gone if we play 1/4 of the games behind closed doors with no home advantage in matches between relegation rivals.

The integrity of the season is already gone once players become out of contract, and forcing them to stay would be impossible due to the Bosman ruling.


Complete the season in July, August and beyond by all means, but it could not be claimed it would have any integrity left.

I saw the idea of extending players contracts - who pays for this?

What happens if said player with a new deal elsewhere refuses as doesn't want to get injured.

 

[drew]

I saw the idea of extending players contracts - who pays for this?

What happens if said player with a new deal elsewhere refuses as doesn't want to get injured.

Or the said player was moving to a better club with better wages? There could be a few EFL players that may have agree moves to better clubs and it will hit them hard. They may have had big signing on fees that they now won't get.

There are so many issues with trying to finish the season post 30th June, let alone when the next season is going to start!

 

[Seasidesage]

The season would of course have to finish - of there wasn't a pandemic going on. Unfortunately, the fact is that there is one. That trumps the need for 'the integrity of the competition'. And it won't be a case of if they void the season - coronavirus has done that, and the emergency measures made law by the government apply to football just as much as they apply to everybody else. The season will have to be avoided - and you can't sue a pandemic!

No you can't sue a paramedic but you can sue a governing body of a sport for how they choose to implement their rules. Clubs can and do all the time. Whatever, the rights and wrongs of the argument we are talking about decisions that will potentially cost some clubs hundreds of millions of pounds. Does anyone seriously think clubs will just go along with whatever is decided regardless of how that decision is reached?