Exclusive by Hugh Southon
Premier League chairman are split almost entirely down the middle on re-starting the season!
And the odds of it happening are becoming more remote with every successive meeting. One big problem is that nobody wants to be seen as the ‘bad guy.’
The chairmen want the PL bosses to make a decision whilst they appear to be relying on the government getting them off the hook by making the decision for them.
However, if as many believe, restrictions on the lock down are eased next Thursday, then it will be back on the PL’s agenda whether to call for a vote on the biggest problem to hit football since the Second World War.With so many complicated issues working against each other and with Leagues across Europe being cancelled, the general feeling of today’s meeting seems to be that the PL will fall into line and do the same.
We were told: “If one death resulted as a result of us kicking off again – if there’s the remotest chance that could happen – we have to cancel.
“We also have to consider our players, many of whom are struggling with the idea of playing in the current conditions . Their wishes and those of their families are of paramount importance.”
Then there may be the biggest issue of all – social distancing on a football field – frankly it looks more and more impossible.”
The thorniest footballing problem for chairmen at today’s video conference was the neutral grounds issue which almost ensures there can be no satisfactory majority for a re-start when the moment of decision finally arrives.
ClaretandHugh learned from sources close to today’s meeting that Liverpool “can give 55 reasons why the League should kick off again and Norwich another 55 why it shouldn’t. Nobody will vote to cut their own throats.
The London Stadium is among those suggested for staging games but relegation-threatened and European challenging clubs won’t vote for that as they want every edge they can get.
And there’s a growing realisation among chairmen and the Premier League bosses there are too many issues militating against each to go ahead with a kick off.
Hugh I agree 100% with the article, it has one flaw though… our country is run by highly intelligent idiots… common sense or compassion are not in the make up of this government. BJ is outlining plans as to how we will com out of lockdown next week. Will wait and see what he has to say but suspect he may be the first prime minister to be diagnosed with baby brain.
This tragedy and disaster that COVID has brought with it has also shone a light on those incompetent fools masquerading as geniuses who run our game.
Those cowards are hiding behind a government who themselves are struggling to make decisions based on common sense. Then you have those idiots UEFA who seem to have lost their minds (if they ever had them). Hopefully, if we get to the other side of this pandemic, changes will be made to these useless organisations.
To talk of playing football on neutral grounds, possibly without crowds with possible minimal/limited contact between players, means that it ISN’T the same game started at the beginning of the season and therefore it is unfair to incorporate these things into the same season. We’ve heard about a game of two halves, but a season like this would be unbelievable. So common-sense should say that this season is cancelled. Not to mention the footballers and their families (a small point I guess).
We should follow France (as it stands) and if that is the case then ALL European countries should do the same to attempt to synch the football season across Europe, European competition and transfer windows…… That is what the Premier League (idiots) and UEFA (clowns) should be working towards right now.
I cannot see how anyone can guarantee 100% that nobody else will die if football restarts. The disease has to be eradicated first before any contemplation of any sport is taken up. If there has to be a vote by clubs ,(which I don’t agree with) then the teams not involved with Champions League qualification or relegation should be excluded as they have ulterior motives for matches to be played or not as the case may be.