Vesper 30,172 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Growing appetite for Premier League season to be abandoned on moral grounds https://theathletic.com/1702521/2020/03/27/coronavirus-premier-league-null-void-abandon/ A number of Premier League clubs want to end the current season with immediate effect and replay it in full once it is deemed safe to do so — even if that means Liverpool being denied a first title in 30 years. One senior figure told The Athletic it is morally wrong for football to even be discussing playing behind closed doors while the coronavirus crisis is at its peak. “You look at the people sitting around the Premier League table by Skype; their egos cannot sustain a mirror being held up to them,” they said. “The fact is they are not as important as a Tesco delivery driver at this time. We run a game. No more, no less. There is no place for sport at the moment.” At a meeting of all 20 top-flight teams last week, there was a “100 per cent” commitment to completing the 2019-20 campaign whatever that may take, including the prospect of staging matches behind closed doors, and the idea of declaring it “null and void” was off the table. That was largely motivated by the possibility of having to pay back £762 million in broadcast revenue which has already been distributed, in addition to issues around competitive integrity. But privately, some clubs have developed strong reservations about resuming football during the coronavirus crisis and are leaning towards the season being re-run regardless of the consequences. This was a view initially raised by West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady on March 14 and in the subsequent Premier League video call, she and Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber sounded a note of caution on the realities of finishing the matches, though there were no dissenting voices. Yet behind the scenes, it appears there are more who do not share the collective message, with the chairman of another club telling The Athletic he finds the existing position “insulting”. Any decision on what comes next needs 14 of the 20 clubs to agree in a vote. Despite European football’s governing body UEFA stating its aim of concluding all domestic and European club competitions by June 30, as things stand, the men’s and women’s seasons in England have been “extended indefinitely” with fixtures recommencing “no earlier than April 30”. One chairman is furious that the sport is even considering a return in the midst of such societal turmoil, describing it as “embarrassing” and adding: “What we are doing is wrong.” Several teams are said to be of the opinion that April 30 should not be viewed as a chance to play, rather to buy time for the authorities to negotiate with broadcasters over the size of any rebate. The next Premier League shareholders meeting is scheduled for April 3 and one high-ranking club official said: “I’m hoping the situation changes by then but unfortunately, the world is changing and it’s changing for the worse every day. “It’s absolutely clear what is going to happen. It’s a worldwide pandemic. You just start (the Premier League season) again and there are very few losers. Liverpool, I know. But in the grand scheme of things, honestly, it really doesn’t matter. You’ve just got to start again. “This (COVID-19) is going to get worse here (in Britain), so it’s not about players returning to training. If we all stay at home and self-isolate for the next two, three months, we’re going to get through this quite simply. But even then, there’s going to be a period of slow reintegration into normality, otherwise the virus will spike again. So, if we’re lucky, the new season will start in September. “If they want to say, ‘This season is over and it will be recommencing with the final nine games being played out in September’, fantastic. But if that’s not feasible. Just end this league with whatever consequences that has. End it and say the new league will start in September. “We look like petulant, ridiculous children now. I passionately believe what we’re doing is wrong. And I would like to think my colleagues now believe that as well, that the world has changed. It’s a scary place at the moment and we’ve got to treat it seriously.” Professional Footballers’ Association deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes told The Athletic earlier this week that an initial reluctance among players he is speaking to over staging matches in empty stadiums has started to shift because they realise there may be no other option. This concept is opposed by one chairman, who said: “How can you play a contact sport that could result in injury and a highly-paid, highly-privileged individual having to go to hospital to be fixed, placing an even greater burden on the hospital system at a time when the virus is escalating? I just find it so insulting that we’re even talking this way; it’s just not important. “If we start playing behind closed doors, can you guarantee you’re not going to have thousands of people turning up outside (the stadiums)? It’s absurd. Forget the practicalities of it. I just find the whole proposition insulting. That people are on ventilators dying and yet we’re playing a game. I’m baffled by it. Even in good times, what we do is full of self-importance. It’s just a game of football.” With Liverpool 25 points above second-placed Manchester City and two wins from securing the Premier League trophy, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United perceived to be overachieving in sixth and seventh respectively, and Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in the Championship’s automatic promotion places, such views will not be universal. But one club director feels football has its priorities wrong: “The position we’re taking is ridiculous. There are such bigger issues to deal with yet every question is, ‘Will Liverpool be champions?’. “It really just doesn’t matter. In world history, this will be recorded as a very challenging time. There is a place for football and entertainment but that’s in a time when there are no troubles and there are no major issues that need to be dealt with. “At a recent meeting, one club said, ‘Listen, I’m going to let my players go on holiday but if they get stuck because the situation changes, do you think the government will send private planes over to get them so they can play football?’. This is how disconnected and ludicrous they are.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,318 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 James McClean is fined two weeks' wages by Stoke City and deletes his Instagram account after posting an image of his home school 'history lesson' while wearing a balaclava to mimic the IRA https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8160247/James-McLean-fined-two-weeks-wages-Stoke-City-home-school-history-lesson-mimicking-IRA.html#comments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,318 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris names his ultimate Premier League XI... and picks five former Blues but NO Liverpool or Manchester City stars make the cut https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8159799/Chelsea-assistant-coach-Jody-Morris-names-ultimate-Premier-League-XI-picks-FIVE-former-Blues.html#comments JODY MORRIS' TEAM GOALKEEPER - PETR CECH LEFT BACK - ASHLEY COLE CENTRE BACK - JOHN TERRY CENTRE BACK - RIO FERDINAND RIGHT BACK - GARY NEVILLE MIDFIELD - PATRICK VIERA MIDFIELD - FRANK LAMPARD MIDFIELD - PAUL SCHOLES LEFT WING - EDEN HAZARD RIGHT WING - CRISTIANO RONALDO STRIKER - THIERRY HENRY Finally a team I can agree with. Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 I agree with it all except one Claude Makélélé replaces Viera that team is so loaded offensively and Makélélé provides a better defensive spine, but it is close and I can so see why he went with Viera, who was far more versatile in fact those two are arguably the two most underrated players in EPL history, as both were easily all world XI quality for ages Makélélé being allowed to leave Real Madrid was probably the stupidest thing they have done in the past 25 years 'Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?' - Zinedine Zidane, August 31, 2003 the rest are perfect NikkiCFC and Blue Armour 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Friday March 27 2020 Football Nerd How football's suspension could negate injury problems By Daniel Zeqiri Jose Mourinho has not solidified Tottenham's defence CREDIT: PA Throughout football's coronavirus hiatus, we remain committed to providing a weekly newsletter of football facts, analysis and retrospectives. If there is a topic you are keen for us to cover please email [email protected]. Above all, stay safe. Those supporting the argument that the season must be completed at any cost are fond of claiming the 'integrity' of the Premier League must be preserved. The integrity of this season will be unavoidably compromised however, by the number of injured players who would have missed the closing stretch of the campaign but could be fit when football resumes. Given the human, social and economic cost of the coronavirus pandemic such concerns are frivolous trivialities, but interesting to consider nonetheless. Tottenham Hotspur are the most obvious beneficiaries from the delay, with Jose Mourinho on record as saying he could not wait for the season to end such were their injury problems. Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane faced an uphill battle to play again this season due to a broken arm and a hamstring injury, likewise January signing Steven Bergwijn after straining ankle ligaments. All three key attackers could be available if the season is completed in June and July. Opponents who have already played Tottenham twice would undeniably have an advantage over those who have not, but there are no perfect solutions to this unprecedented problem. Key injuries were looking like defining the race for Champions League football and the Europa League places, with Chelsea and Manchester United missing 13 first-team players between them when football was suspended just over a fortnight ago. CREDIT: OPTA Frank Lampard's squad were badly creaking, with N'Golo Kante, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham all suffering recurring problems and setbacks as they tried to return to full fitness and Mateo Kovacic limping off against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Christian Pulisic was also yet to return from injury and Ruben Loftus-Cheek a long-term absentee. United did not have the same quantity of injuries, but were thriving without their two most talented players. Paul Pogba had barely kicked a ball since the autumn while Marcus Rashford has now been granted extra time to fully recover from a stress fracture to his back. At the bottom of the league, Bournemouth's chance to recuperate could be bad news for Watford and West Ham in the two places above them outside the relegation zone. Eddie Howe's team had a horrendous spate of injuries this season with eight first-team players absent when the season was paused. Defensive stalwarts Steve Cook and Simon Francis could be back, while all Bournemouth fans will be praying David Brooks finally gets a clean bill of health. Elsewhere, Everton fans could get their first sight of central midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin since August while Arsenal's luckless left-back Kieran Tierney could be back in contention. Both were substantial purchases last summer, but could be like new signings this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Not a bad idea... Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laylabelle 9,534 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Yeah I dont think itll be end of April somehow. Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chippy 342 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 I hope this feeling goes away, but at the mo I could care less if I never see another football match or any sporting event again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,318 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 null and void, null and void, null and void... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,318 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 Carragher team of the season: Henderson, TAA, VVD, Gomez, Robertson, Henderson, KDB, Grealish, Salah, Mane, Aguero. Not sure about Gomez, Salah and Aguero. killer1257 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,318 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 18 hours ago, Jason said: Not a bad idea... Would that mean no football from December 2022 till August 2023? Do you want to play last 16 in CL in pre season? Bad idea if you ask me. NULL AND VOID! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 1 minute ago, NikkiCFC said: Would that mean no football from December 2022 till August 2023? We're probably already gonna go a few months without football now. So, no exactly big deal if that were to happen. 2 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said: Do you want to play last 16 in CL in pre season? Bad idea if you ask me. NULL AND VOID! By that you mean the resumption of this season's UCL Round of 16? If the authorities follow AVB's idea, then that wouldn't be an issue. Haven't bothered to think much about it but the only reason I would want this season to be declared null and void is that it would likely benefit us in terms of Champions League qualification (and to see Liverpool NOT be crowned champions). Otherwise, I'm not sure what's the point. Not sure why everyone is so rigid about the European football schedule that 2019/20 must end by June or July or whenever so that 2020/21 can start on time in August, which may not even happen if this virus situation persists. On top of that, the 2022 World Cup will throw up a mess to the scheduling when it comes around and this whole coronavirus feels like a perfect opportunity to take and adjust the football seasons accordingly for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando 6,585 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 2 hours ago, Jason said: We're probably already gonna go a few months without football now. So, no exactly big deal if that were to happen. By that you mean the resumption of this season's UCL Round of 16? If the authorities follow AVB's idea, then that wouldn't be an issue. Haven't bothered to think much about it but the only reason I would want this season to be declared null and void is that it would likely benefit us in terms of Champions League qualification (and to see Liverpool NOT be crowned champions). Otherwise, I'm not sure what's the point. Not sure why everyone is so rigid about the European football schedule that 2019/20 must end by June or July or whenever so that 2020/21 can start on time in August, which may not even happen if this virus situation persists. On top of that, the 2022 World Cup will throw up a mess to the scheduling when it comes around and this whole coronavirus feels like a perfect opportunity to take and adjust the football seasons accordingly for that. It's much easier to cancel this season and start the new season fresh in August. killer1257 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 3 minutes ago, Fernando said: It's much easier to cancel this season and start the new season fresh in August. Stats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoroccanBlue 5,381 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 Expected to start again in July. Assuming the league then ends in September. Wonder how the transfer market plays out. Does it still open normally in July? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,318 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 19 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said: Expected to start again in July. Assuming the league then ends in September. Wonder how the transfer market plays out. Does it still open normally in July? In July? Coronavirus: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says season risks being lost Ceferin: "We have a plan A, B or C: to restart in mid-May, in June or at the end of June. If then we wouldn't be able to do any, the season would probably be lost" https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11965081/coronavirus-uefa-president-aleksander-ceferin-says-season-risks-being-lost Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoroccanBlue 5,381 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said: In July? Coronavirus: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says season risks being lost Ceferin: "We have a plan A, B or C: to restart in mid-May, in June or at the end of June. If then we wouldn't be able to do any, the season would probably be lost" https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11965081/coronavirus-uefa-president-aleksander-ceferin-says-season-risks-being-lost Yes. July. Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 9 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said: Yes. July. What’s the president of UEFA got anything to do with the English FA? The Premier League is reportedly set to restart in July with matches to be played behind closed doors unless the coronavirus situation in the UK worsens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando 6,585 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 It's dumb Just cancel the season and start the new season as normal. July should be for pre season which the players are going to need after being quarantine. NikkiCFC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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