Premier League bosses and chairmen are taking a fair bit of knocking across the forums as they attempt to find some way – any way – of getting the season completed.
The latest is a radical plan to use hotels as isolation areas for players as they play behind closed doors in the midlands and London with all games televised .
It has inevitable flaws – as do most that have been put forward – but for balance I think we need to understand when people scream in disgust “money money, money ” that they are only mouthing the reality of the game at this level!
Businesses everywhere are in a state we haven’t seen in our history which is why the government has moved with such haste to do all they can to help financially.
The Premier League chairmen are doing all they can to protect their businesses. There isn’t a small, middle or large business operation which isn’t trying to do exactly the same.
Let’s put this simply: If a way can be found to SAFELY play these games then that has to be reasonable. To pretend the game at PL level isn’t all about money is romantic in the extreme.
Of course it is and unless we can get a start-up in one way or another we are going to be in very different football territory this time next year.
It’s easy to sneer but we are looking at a situation which won’t take place for a month or three anyway and hopefully there will be a big improvement by then!
Safety first of course but if a way can be found then fair enough!
Completely nutty idea, on a number of levels. But knowing the idiots who run football it probably has traction. From the team that brought you “VAR”, we now proudly present “Premier League Behind Closed Doors”.
With respect on others views on this I totally disagree and thè football season should be null and void straight away. People should realise this is the worst health worldwide problem since Ebola hit parts of the African continent but we had cures for it now there is nothing only the learning curve of scientists finding out how to cure this. Football like businesses generally will pick up the pieces after this virus is conquered and football as much as a lot of us love must be put in it’s place as a sport that doesnt return until a complete all clear by the medics and scientists say we have conquered it unlike the narcistic clown trump who thinks it’s business as usual from Easter for personal gain. COYI stay safe everyone
Fully agree with Razorwine comments.
Might introduce some financial sense into the game given the obscene amounts paid to agents and players. The vast majority of working people/ football supporters will get a maximum of £2500 a month during this national disaster. Compare that with footballer pay in top leagues plus agent leaches rewards. They should be thoroughly ashamed if they do not forgoe most of it to save football as we know it!!
I reckon from the point of view of those that have to pay for their football, a financial smack in the mouth might be a blessing.
I’d follow West Ham if they played in the Ryman league.
There is an opportunity her for the club’s to totally restructure the game to focus on those that keep it going ultimately. Us.
I don’t think finishing the season behind closed doors will benefit anybody, other than a few sponsors.
They will need to accept the situation the same as everybody else.
I hope very much that this is the Premier League showing willing and knowing that it will never happen.
If Football is played behind closed doors it means the virus is still around -. completely unacceptable.Football at this time is way way down the priority list.
I’m in the ‘void it now’ camp but I broadly agree with the premise behind this article. Like it or not, professional football is a business and the owners are simply trying to find ways to mitigate losses – as any business would. They also have to maintain positive relationships with Sky and BT and thus need to be seen to be searching for practical solutions. But, ultimately, they will not be the final decision-takers on this. Instead, it will be the government, based on the best available medical data and advice. In the meantime, I see no harm in attempting to make plans, although, after a few more weeks of the current situation, I think the football authorities will have to bite the bullet, scrap the season and start planning for a new season – whenever that might be.
I suggest –
1. Run the two seasons together as one competition so that the results of this season are not voided.
2. All outstanding games to be treated as draws.
3. Thus :Liverpool will start next season with plus 24 points and a positive goal difference,
and Norwich will start with zero points and a negative goal difference.
4. This season should end now.