Premier League 2019-2020 we’re off

[Deleted member 16999]

So if the pandemic is still bad in March next year, wouldnt it make sense to finish all the current comps in March-May, then just start again in the August 2021?

One full season written off, a season that had no games played, no rounds played, no unfair promotions / relegations etc, etc, etc

Yes, absolutely, but they haven’t done that, once again FIFA/UEFA have failed to lead.

The easiest solution would of been cancel next season and plan every League to finish the 19/20 season by the start of season 21/22, they haven’t and now every League seems to be doing it their own way.

The reason timelines are being introduced is UEFA wanting this seasons CL and EL finished before the next one starts and therefore National Leagues are trying to fit that scenario.

You must think about the financial implications of writing a season off completely, that’s probably billions of Pounds Clubs can’t afford to lose, plus players finishing careers early etc.

 

[fundy]

Just my thoughts on the matter as someone with an interest in football but not a massive fan (but this applies to rugby and other team sports). I know that this is a bit extreme and would not be acceptable to most people but it would be safe (or as safe as it can be). Suspend the season until the date next year that matches started being postponed. Finish off this season in the exact same time frame as it would have this year and move on to the 2021/22 season as we would have done normally. Effectively it would abandon the 2020/21 season Extend all TV deals for a further year to take into account the lost season which would allow clubs time to cut their cloth accordingly to account for the lost TV revenue or agree an extended deal with reduced payments each year to take into account the loss. If there is any earlier lifting of restrictions, clubs are allowed to arrange friendly matches for which they can negotiate their own TV deals or nominate friendly weekends and take those into account in any reduction on future TV income across the current deal.

In all reality, european football is not going to happen this season due to travel and hotel restrictions. As such, this system would allow for the current euorpean tournaments to be concluded next year, again in the same time frame that they would have been completed this year.

For me, playing behind closed doors should be off the table. Aside from the inherent risk to players and staff, I find it hard to believe that fans will not turn up to the vicinity of the grounds, think it happened in europe with the matches behind closed doors before the lockdowns.

There is the problem of lost revenue but this would be the safest and fairest approach that I can think of with the least chance of promotion and relegation being settled in court (which it would be if the matches are not played).

no way theyre not going to play football until March next year unless they absolutely have to. be very few professional football clubs left by that point!

 

[Captainron]

Some thoughts that there could be a second Corona spike in September which would really throw all this onto the rubbish dump.

 

[GB72]

no way theyre not going to play football until March next year unless they absolutely have to. be very few professional football clubs left by that point!

Surely though if you are playing behind closed doors then you are spending money with no additional income and so increase losses. Sad to say but it appears that the whole situation is dependent on what can be negotiated in relation to TV companies.

 

[fundy]

Surely though if you are playing behind closed doors then you are spending money with no additional income and so increase losses. Sad to say but it appears that the whole situation is dependent on what can be negotiated in relation to TV companies.

well via fans subscriptions theyve been funding most of the circus for the last 20 years, their contracts along with some of the player contracts going to be central to what happens for sure

at least they have tv contracts going forward, sounds like prem rugby could be in a big hole on that front once this one expires after next season

 

[GB72]

well via fans subscriptions theyve been funding most of the circus for the last 20 years, their contracts along with some of the player contracts going to be central to what happens for sure

at least they have tv contracts going forward, sounds like prem rugby could be in a big hole on that front once this one expires after next season

Agree, BT sport had it when they had less football to attract subscribers. Now they have plenty of football it is less necessary.

 

[fundy]

Agree, BT sport had it when they had less football to attract subscribers. Now they have plenty of football it is less necessary.

theyve already let their exclusive negotiating period expire on all accounts, expect it ends up back with Sky at a heftily reduced rate which will put a lot of the clubs in perilous financial positions if theyre not already

 

[Lord Tyrion]

We are generally chatting about the PL, obviously as this thread is about it. However, what about the levels below? Those clubs are dependent on gate receipts and many are teetering on a financial precipice already. We could see a lot of clubs from Championship down disappearing in these next few months. The championship in particular has too many players on inflated wages for the division and they are not sustainable with no income coming in and no re-start in sight.

 

[Slime]

I very much doubt that will be the case Pedro.

The FA/EUFA/FIFA will have a cut off date for the current season to be completed and I think it will mean an end to this campaign.

I would think that the current standings are used as finished standings. Liverpool get the title and We say goodbye to Bournemouth/Villa and Norwich.

With Villa having played a game fewer than the others!
A game, which if they won, would take them out of the relegation zone and put Watford in it.
That MUST NOT be allowed to happen, it's far too penal and just morally wrong.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

We are generally chatting about the PL, obviously as this thread is about it. However, what about the levels below? Those clubs are dependent on gate receipts and many are teetering on a financial precipice already. We could see a lot of clubs from Championship down disappearing in these next few months. The championship in particular has too many players on inflated wages for the division and they are not sustainable with no income coming in and no re-start in sight.

Sadly the reality is only those (apart from a tiny minority) outside the PL actually care, hence the comments about binning the FA Cup or Carabao Cup next season to fit in CL & EL games next season.

Is there life outside the PL?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Sadly the reality is only those (apart from a tiny minority) outside the PL actually care, hence the comments about binning the FA Cup or Carabao Cup next season to fit in CL & EL games next season.

Is there life outside the PL?

There's the problem.

It is assumed that if, in this country, you are interested in football you must mean the PL.

With Sky I have the full sports package as it is the only way I can get to see EFL. If there was some way in which I could get live TV coverage of the lower leagues without the PL I would be quite happy.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

There's the problem.

It is assumed that if, in this country, you are interested in football you must mean the PL.

With Sky I have the full sports package as it is the only way I can get to see EFL. If there was some way in which I could get live TV coverage of the lower leagues without the PL I would be quite happy.

Come on! You know Football was only invented in 1992.

 

[Orikoru]

Sadly the reality is only those (apart from a tiny minority) outside the PL actually care, hence the comments about binning the FA Cup or Carabao Cup next season to fit in CL & EL games next season.

Is there life outside the PL?

But that is precisely why you can't just scrap the season and why it must be finished. As you touch upon, lots of people saying "just award Liverpool the league" as if that's the only thing that matters. But then do we award Leeds and West Brom promotion? 'Award' Norwich and Villa relegation even though Villa could have escaped with their game in hand? There is no fair way to approach any of it other than finishing the season when it is deemed safe to play football again.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

But that is precisely why you can't just scrap the season and why it must be finished. As you touch upon, lots of people saying "just award Liverpool the league" as if that's the only thing that matters. But then do we award Leeds and West Brom promotion? 'Award' Norwich and Villa relegation even though Villa could have escaped with their game in hand? There is no fair way to approach any of it other than finishing the season when it is deemed safe to play football again.

Just to clarify for you, imo, we(UEFA) need to draw a line in the sand, let’s say 30th November 2020 (could be any date) and state all fixtures, League and Cups need to be finished.

If not completed by then choice is either scrap season all together and start again or accept league positions as they stand.

Now, if no football has been played by the date chosen I’d suggest we are still in a big mess and it maybe sometime before it restarts.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Yes, absolutely, but they haven’t done that, once again FIFA/UEFA have failed to lead.

The easiest solution would of been cancel next season and plan every League to finish the 19/20 season by the start of season 21/22, they haven’t and now every League seems to be doing it their own way.

The reason timelines are being introduced is UEFA wanting this seasons CL and EL finished before the next one starts and therefore National Leagues are trying to fit that scenario.

You must think about the financial implications of writing a season off completely, that’s probably billions of Pounds Clubs can’t afford to lose, plus players finishing careers early etc.

Well as I suggested, just have a 9 month season as normal, with the end of this campaign tagged on, just dispense with 2 (unplayed) cups, and compensate the EFL and conference clubs for lost revenue. God knows they'll need it.

And when its reasonably safe, or to the point when every other place is open anyway - schools, workplaces, pubs, restaurants etc

 

[Fish]

 

[Fish]

I see Trevor Cherry has passed also ?

 

[4LEX]

I can't see this season finishing. I'd even question next season or the Euros taking place next summer, let alone anything else. Sporting integrity means trying to get the TV money, nothing more or less. How can you even thinking of giving football players regular tests when key workers aren't getting them? Just so they can kick a ball about in an empty stadium, to decide something that really means nothing? The talk is of 5 subs (which will favour the biggest clubs and squads) and no contact at corners or set pieces. How can you have one set of rules for 3/4 of the season and then change them while still banging on about integrity?

I think they'll be two options;

Null and void and everyone takes it on the chin, both clubs, fans and TV companies.

You void the cups that are left and the league is settled on a points per game basis.

Both ways are less than perfect and will see a loss in TV revenue and clubs folding without huge help. This situation should really be used as a ground zero for transfer fees and wages, sometimes a forest needs to burn to the ground before a better landscape can emerge. Football as we knew it was toxic. Over inflated TV subs, ticket prices, player wages, transfer fees and the culture of agents. Let's hope this finishes that era as we know it.

 

[Orikoru]

I can't see this season finishing. I'd even question next season or the Euros taking place next summer, let alone anything else. Sporting integrity means trying to get the TV money, nothing more or less. How can you even thinking of giving football players regular tests when key workers aren't getting them? Just so they can kick a ball about in an empty stadium, to decide something that really means nothing? The talk is of 5 subs (which will favour the biggest clubs and squads) and no contact at corners or set pieces. How can you have one set of rules for 3/4 of the season and then change them while still banging on about integrity?

I think they'll be two options;

Null and void and everyone takes it on the chin, both clubs, fans and TV companies.

You void the cups that are left and the league is settled on a points per game basis.

Both ways are less than perfect and will see a loss in TV revenue and clubs folding without huge help. This situation should really be used as a ground zero for transfer fees and wages, sometimes a forest needs to burn to the ground before a better landscape can emerge. Football as we knew it was toxic. Over inflated TV subs, ticket prices, player wages, transfer fees and the culture of agents. Let's hope this finishes that era as we know it.

That part in bold is just not remotely viable at all. If they're saying that then it's too soon to start playing again. That isn't football that would just be nonsense.

 

[Deleted member 18645]

We could see a lot of clubs from Championship down disappearing in these next few months. The championship in particular has too many players on inflated wages for the division and they are not sustainable with no income coming in and no re-start in sight.

Wild idea - how about releasing some of those players from their contracts to thereby reduce the wage bill and make the club solvent again. When clubs are furloughing or laying off support staff yet continuing to play vast amounts to individual players, it does not make business or common sense. Won't happen of course because the search for on-field success far outweighs any economic planning so if some of those clubs go bust, perhaps that will be a lesson to others. Or not.