[Football] Should This Season Be Suspended?

[Acker79]

Where's the 'I couldn't give a flying ****' option?

It's back on the big board. You select it by not clicking on this thread.

 

[Mellotron]

Saw a report that there are only 3 dates available for rearranged PL matches due to European competition and national weeks. Some of those already taken due to previously postponed matches, so understandable reluctance to suspend. 30-40 positive tests including some non players is surely manageable but an increase could cause a rethink. The problem is that suspending more than 2 matches (which may only be a week) will mean fixture congestion the like of which has not been seen.

This is why it's baffling that they decided to keep both cups this season.

League Cup is completely superfluous and would've given more flexibility for fixture re-arrangements.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

This is why it's baffling that they decided to keep both cups this season.

League Cup is completely superfluous and would've given more flexibility for fixture re-arrangements.

1 legged European games as well.

But nothing is as stupid as losing almost 40 days due to 3 international breaks.

 

[Mellotron]

1 legged European games as well.

But nothing is as stupid as losing almost 40 days due to 3 international breaks.

Agreed - there couldn't be a dafter use of time and resources right now than international friendlies.

 

[LamieRobertson]

1 legged European games as well.

But nothing is as stupid as losing almost 40 days due to 3 international breaks.

Totally agreed ...Southgate could have been furloughed ...and then voila...a lot of capacity created

 

[Dave the OAP]

Certainly I would. It’s getting daft now.

We are going to end up with league tables that mean absolutely nothing as you will have some teams with loads of games in hand and to play

 

[portslade seagull]

I believe as it stands at the moment yes it should be suspended. With the high levels of deaths and infections it just doesn't seem moral for football to carry on. Once again though it's all about the money

 

[zefarelly]

I believe as it stands at the moment yes it should be suspended. With the high levels of deaths and infections it just doesn't seem moral for football to carry on. Once again though it's all about the money

Its been the same for a year . . . we're still in 16th so may as well stop now before it gets any worse.

 

[trueblue]

The pandemic has become hugely politicised rather than being a simple health issue. Premier League clubs used their wealth and access to power to act politically to stay open and I suspect history will judge them as such.

I agree it’s become hugely politicised, which is why that’s unfair on Premier League clubs. Of course they wanted to continue but there was also pressure on them to keep doing so as the Government knew it was good for morale (suddenly deciding footballers were a useful asset having previously slagged them off when it suited their agenda).

Plus, compared to most of the businesses that had to close, they were showing it was perfectly possible to play on safely behind closed doors, until the new variant made things a lot more difficult.

 

[Weststander]

I agree it’s become hugely politicised, which is why that’s unfair on Premier League clubs. Of course they wanted to continue but there was also pressure on them to keep doing so as the Government knew it was good for morale (suddenly deciding footballers were a useful asset having previously slagged them off when it suited their agenda).

Plus, compared to most of the businesses that had to close, they were showing it was perfectly possible to play on safely behind closed doors, until the new variant made things a lot more difficult.

The EPL and all 20 clubs wanted last season to continue, Paul Barber made that abundantly clear in that famous R5 interview. He made no bones about it that the club as a business did not want to have pay the broadcasters back. The same principles must apply this season.

If the government and EPL want this season to continue (similarly the SPL and Scottish government, and every elite league across Europe), who is demanding that this season be halted?

 

[GT49er]

I believe as it stands at the moment yes it should be suspended. With the high levels of deaths and infections it just doesn't seem moral for football to carry on. Once again though it's all about the money

What will happen if we suspend/cancel the season now? Lots of young men, some not too bright and some who think they're above the rules for normal mortals, will carry on getting paid lottery-win size wages and will drive their flash cars round to party with their mates, and then drive home (with or without a high class 'escort').

But yes, I think in spite of that, I think we should forget about football for a while. IT'S NOT THAT IMPORTANT!

 

[Bozza]

Everton v Villa, scheduled for Sunday, looks like being postponed with Villa players not due to leave isolation until that same day.

Assuming the rest of the weekend is unaffected, Villa will be four games behind some clubs, including us.

 

[zefarelly]

Suspension may suit us, it did last time. cancellation wouldn't.

 

[zefarelly]

What will happen if we suspend/cancel the season now? Lots of young men, some not too bright and some who think they're above the rules for normal mortals, will carry on getting paid lottery-win size wages and will drive their flash cars round to party with their mates, and then drive home (with or without a high class 'escort').

But yes, I think in spite of that, I think we should forget about football for a while. IT'S NOT THAT IMPORTANT!

If the FA had any danglies they'd simply ban any player caught flouting the law for the remainder of the season.

that would focus the minds of the powers that be at any given club

It would appear our nice boys are well behaved, unlike say Villas or Celtic.

a month circuit break is not a bad idea.