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Coronavirus could prevent Liverpool from winning the Premier League title


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1 hour ago, Vincent Vega said:

Robbie Fowler’s piece in the Sunday Mirror today is spot on.

 

Premier League must fight UEFA's Euro 2020 agenda - domestic seasons are the priority

ROBBIE FOWLER: At the moment, it seems like UEFA are calling the shots because of the Euros. So Premier League chief executive Richard Masters needs to put pressure on them
 

I don’t get this outcry to abandon the ­Premier League season and call it null and void.

 

What the hell is the rush?

 

I keep hearing people saying, “But you’re ­putting lives at risk”.

Yet no one is saying play games right now.

 

The only thought is to finish the season WHEN it is safe to do so. That is not a debate.

 

It’s a fact. The advice will be there from health experts, so follow it.

 

And even if that is in August or later, do it then. Why? Because a second wave of the coronavirus really isn’t an if – it is a when.
 

That is not being alarmist. Every single expert, every single specialist, even virtually every single government is saying there will be a second wave – and it is a question of how to deal with it.

 

So, let’s look at how football deals with it.

 

If we void this season, start next ­season in ­August, and then a second wave hits in the ­autumn or winter, what do we do then? Void that season too?

 

The only reason anyone is even considering cancelling the season now is because UEFA are applying pressure to do so… presumably because they still anticipate their Euros going ahead next ­summer and they want the way clear for that.

 

So what happens if the second wave comes next February, like the initial outbreak? To me, it is obvious. There’s no rush, get the league done this year, then play with what you have.

 

It’s like being a poker player: work with the hand you have, not what you hope you may get in the future.

 

I know UEFA are powerful and I know this will be controversial, but the fact is that domestic football is more important than national teams.

Without club sides, there would be no national teams.

 

At the moment, it seems like UEFA are calling the shots because of the Euros. So Premier League chief executive Richard Masters needs to put pressure on them.

 

How does the English game do that?

 

Well, if the TV companies say they want to wait, to see leagues finished and they’re happy to wait, it could apply some pressure.

 

I know the Premier League ­reiterated on Friday that they want to wait because they see completing the season important for the integrity of the competition – and I agree. Again, no one is saying put lives at risk. That is not even part of the agenda.
 

And, with economies crashing globally, there will be financial arguments about when it is safe to go back to work, mixed in with the medical.

 

If the Government pull their funding for ­furloughs, etc (which, I suspect, they can’t sustain forever), then will people say they’re not going back to work? I honestly believe that, if the ­Premier League does return, the players will be a far safer than we are as the general public. They will be in a full “biosphere bubble”, as Formula One has deemed it, with typical jargon b**t.

 

What that means is they will be tested every few days, and won’t come into ­contact with anyone who isn’t also tested every three days. They won’t have to go on public transport, go into supermarkets, do all the things that everyone else has to do to put them at risk.

 

And if they do contract the virus, it will be found ­incredibly early – because, apart from testing, they will have heart checks, oxygen checks, health checks every single day.

 

It doesn’t half protect you when you wear a heart monitor in your daily job and have a team of fitness experts tracking your every heartbeat, your every bead of sweat.

 

They will be a damn sight safer than anyone.

 

They won’t be at risk like frontline NHS staff, care workers, bus drivers, shop workers and so many others.

 

Who all get paid a ridiculously low wage to put their lives on the line every single day.

 

They will only go back to work when it is safe to do so! I am not saying they need to put ­themselves on the line for the country. I’m saying, with all the resources the Premier League and clubs have to throw at it, safety will be ­paramount and relatively easy to deliver.

 

And one thing I know, if the Germans are ­coming back shortly to play football, then you can bet it is safe to do so there.

 

So don’t tell me the season has to be null and void. That is a ridiculous argument.


No one is talking about a second wave in all the opinions wasted on what should and shouldn’t happen.

 

There is a second Covid-19 wave coming, so let’s finish this season and then see what hand we have to play with for next season.

 

When I hear this null-and-void argument put forward, I always think one thing: will the virus respect null and void? Nope. It’s not going to suddenly ­disappear to allow next season to be played in full and without complication, just because this season has been scrapped.

 

You can bet, though, that clubs are already factoring that into their financial and operational deliberations for the next 12 to 24 months.

 

So maybe we should start factoring it in too.

Our Robbie talks sense and he's absolutely spot on about UEFA. They are driving this. Although someone disagreed with me, I saw more than one article where UEFA saying they want a 25 May cut off for league to either forward plans for how they finish the season or, be informed which leagues will be curtailing their season.

 

Whichever way you view it, it is UEFA's push to finish their club competition in August and be able to host Euro 2020in the summer 2021.

 

The CL and to a lesser extent, are nothing without club yet the shouters seem to want to 'give' every other club euro places, freedom to stay in leagues they wouldnt be in, bucket fulls of cash etc in fact, given everything except clubs being promoted and teams the titles they were winning.

1 hour ago, suzy said:

I’m soooo fed up with this! On Sunday supplement today some of them saying the only thing is to null and void!! Going on about players being ‘afraid’ and they don’t want to bring it home to their families! 
What about my husband? Works in a warehouse, he had to keep working and their social distancing isn’t great!

Wow, I didnt know SS was still going and Im not surprised they were going on about voiding the season. It seems everyone is using the virus for their own benefit, increase web page hits, comments sections and increased viewing figures. But naughty Liverpool, wanting to continue the season even with all the deaths etc.

 

Hope you and your man stay safe and well.

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The biggest problem with the idea of no relegation will be, on the presumption of Leeds +1 other promoted club being in the Premier League next season, then it becomes even further congested, with 42 games instead of 38. Given that there's no idea as to when the 20/21 season can even start, and with the Euros being wedged in next 'summer' already having been postponed, this would create ever more logistical problems. 

 

Jurgen Klopp has constantly voiced his desire for less fixtures in a season, only to potentially see them increased because some clubs are using Covid-19 as a weapon to try avoid the ultimate pitfall of being as shit as they are.

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So this report from the Mirror has it the bottom 6 kicking up a stink and the rest want to carry on if we can. 

 

West Ham, Villa claiming player safety

 

Brighton that it's not fair they might not play at home(the home field advantage they are moaning about against Liverpool, Arsenal, City, Utd) 

 

Both they all might agree without Relegation. 

 

 

Just proves its got fuck all to do with safety or any other excuse. All 6 looking for a backdoor exit for being shite. 

 

 

Hopefully the other 14 just stick to their guns and tell them to fuck off. The issue will be Spurs possible eye up a champions league spot on a voided season

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5 minutes ago, Lee909 said:

So this report from the Mirror has it the bottom 6 kicking up a stink and the rest want to carry on if we can. 

 

West Ham, Villa claiming player safety

 

Brighton that it's not fair they might not play at home(the home field advantage they are moaning about against Liverpool, Arsenal, City, Utd) 

 

Both they all might agree without Relegation. 

 

 

Just proves its got fuck all to do with safety or any other excuse. All 6 looking for a backdoor exit for being shite. 

 

 

Hopefully the other 14 just stick to their guns and tell them to fuck off. The issue will be Spurs possible eye up a champions league spot on a voided season

Simple solution to that. Start up again and the bottom 3 get relegated like it has always been or If the bottom 6 dont agree to restart then they get relegated and 6 teams from the championship get promoted. 

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51 minutes ago, Lee909 said:

So this report from the Mirror has it the bottom 6 kicking up a stink and the rest want to carry on if we can. 

 

West Ham, Villa claiming player safety

 

Brighton that it's not fair they might not play at home(the home field advantage they are moaning about against Liverpool, Arsenal, City, Utd) 

 

Both they all might agree without Relegation. 

 

 

Just proves its got fuck all to do with safety or any other excuse. All 6 looking for a backdoor exit for being shite. 

 

 

Hopefully the other 14 just stick to their guns and tell them to fuck off. The issue will be Spurs possible eye up a champions league spot on a voided season

I think it's now pretty clear it's not gonna be voided.

 

it will be played out bcd or it will be curtailed as finalised via ppg. 
 

Seen as the clubs are clearly shitting themselves regarding the finances (Burnley/ palace/Southampton chairman's comments) then unless the government take it out of their hands it's certain to be played out. 
 

The plans re bcd/ neutral venues seems to have the support of the bulk of the league and given the choice of this or curtailment(ppg) which will cost them a lot more than if it's played out I think they'll get  the 14 required votes.

 

If they make it clear relegations will happen regardless of curtailment then you'd guess 17 clubs will vote to resume.

 

The 3 that won't will be clearly West Ham/Watford and Brighton who will try and use this situation to wriggle off the relegation hook and hope for curtailment or relegation being removed.

 

If they're outvoted with the 14 club majority met then they have to go with it or refuse to play. 
 

If they refuse to play then they'll be deduct points and go down anyway. 
 

They could try to sabotage it by claiming players testing positive but am guessing the testing will be done independently and it would be highly suspicious if those particular clubs all of a sudden start getting  a large number of players becoming infected. 
 

At this point I'm the most confident that it will be finished than I have been for a long time. 

 

 

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1 hour ago, Chocoholic said:

The biggest problem with the idea of no relegation will be, on the presumption of Leeds +1 other promoted club being in the Premier League next season, then it becomes even further congested, with 42 games instead of 38. Given that there's no idea as to when the 20/21 season can even start, and with the Euros being wedged in next 'summer' already having been postponed, this would create ever more logistical problems. 

 

Jurgen Klopp has constantly voiced his desire for less fixtures in a season, only to potentially see them increased because some clubs are using Covid-19 as a weapon to try avoid the ultimate pitfall of being as shit as they are.

It goes deeper though if you think about it. If you promote Leeds and West Brom, the clubs in the play off places will likely sue if they are the only 2 promoted. If no one is relegated from the PL, that means The Championship will be 2 clubs and 4 fixtures light for the following season. If you promote 3 and no relegation, that's 3 clubs and 6 fixtures light. That means a loss of income for all Championship clubs and probably less tv money for them.

 

The EFL could promote replacement teams from League One and Two as replacements but then League 2 is the eventual loser.

 

There is simply no way there cannot be no relegation from the PL this season. That will destroy the sporting integrity. There will be no 'incentive' for these clubs to compete in these games. At best, they'll play until they conceed the first goal. At worse, they'll put in a Watford inspired 8-0 loss to the top 6 clubs.

 

The latest reports I read suggest the PL is 1 club away from agreement on neutral grounds and relegation. They'll either have to gaurantee relegated clubs bigger parachute payments (what will Championship clubs say to that?) or allow the bottom 6 to play in their own grounds.

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9 minutes ago, dockers_strike said:

It goes deeper though if you think about it. If you promote Leeds and West Brom, the clubs in the play off places will likely sue if they are the only 2 promoted. If no one is relegated from the PL, that means The Championship will be 2 clubs and 4 fixtures light for the following season. If you promote 3 and no relegation, that's 3 clubs and 6 fixtures light. That means a loss of income for all Championship clubs and probably less tv money for them.

 

The EFL could promote replacement teams from League One and Two as replacements but then League 2 is the eventual loser.

 

There is simply no way there cannot be no relegation from the PL this season. That will destroy the sporting integrity. There will be no 'incentive' for these clubs to compete in these games. At best, they'll play until they conceed the first goal. At worse, they'll put in a Watford inspired 8-0 loss to the top 6 clubs.

 

The latest reports I read suggest the PL is 1 club away from agreement on neutral grounds and relegation. They'll either have to gaurantee relegated clubs bigger parachute payments (what will Championship clubs say to that?) or allow the bottom 6 to play in their own grounds.

That's a decent idea let to let the bottom 6 play their home games at home but I bet you all of a sudden they be like that's great what about this/that/the other. 
 

Also am guessing the reasons they don't want teams playing at home is to stop fan gatherings which if say West Ham beat villa on the final day to survive then you're gonna get fans gathering. 

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2 hours ago, dockers_strike said:

Our Robbie talks sense and he's absolutely spot on about UEFA. They are driving this. Although someone disagreed with me, I saw more than one article where UEFA saying they want a 25 May cut off for league to either forward plans for how they finish the season or, be informed which leagues will be curtailing their season.

 

Whichever way you view it, it is UEFA's push to finish their club competition in August and be able to host Euro 2020in the summer 2021.

 

The CL and to a lesser extent, are nothing without club yet the shouters seem to want to 'give' every other club euro places, freedom to stay in leagues they wouldnt be in, bucket fulls of cash etc in fact, given everything except clubs being promoted and teams the titles they were winning.

Wow, I didnt know SS was still going and Im not surprised they were going on about voiding the season. It seems everyone is using the virus for their own benefit, increase web page hits, comments sections and increased viewing figures. But naughty Liverpool, wanting to continue the season even with all the deaths etc.

 

Hope you and your man stay safe and well.

Thank you.

 

Yes SS stopped  for a while but it suddenly came back last week with everyone talking from home.

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11 hours ago, Vincent Vega said:

Robbie Fowler’s piece in the Sunday Mirror today is spot on.

 

Premier League must fight UEFA's Euro 2020 agenda - domestic seasons are the priority

ROBBIE FOWLER: At the moment, it seems like UEFA are calling the shots because of the Euros. So Premier League chief executive Richard Masters needs to put pressure on them
 

I don’t get this outcry to abandon the ­Premier League season and call it null and void.

 

What the hell is the rush?

 

I keep hearing people saying, “But you’re ­putting lives at risk”.

Yet no one is saying play games right now.

 

The only thought is to finish the season WHEN it is safe to do so. That is not a debate.

 

It’s a fact. The advice will be there from health experts, so follow it.

 

And even if that is in August or later, do it then. Why? Because a second wave of the coronavirus really isn’t an if – it is a when.
 

That is not being alarmist. Every single expert, every single specialist, even virtually every single government is saying there will be a second wave – and it is a question of how to deal with it.

 

So, let’s look at how football deals with it.

 

If we void this season, start next ­season in ­August, and then a second wave hits in the ­autumn or winter, what do we do then? Void that season too?

 

The only reason anyone is even considering cancelling the season now is because UEFA are applying pressure to do so… presumably because they still anticipate their Euros going ahead next ­summer and they want the way clear for that.

 

So what happens if the second wave comes next February, like the initial outbreak? To me, it is obvious. There’s no rush, get the league done this year, then play with what you have.

 

It’s like being a poker player: work with the hand you have, not what you hope you may get in the future.

 

I know UEFA are powerful and I know this will be controversial, but the fact is that domestic football is more important than national teams.

Without club sides, there would be no national teams.

 

At the moment, it seems like UEFA are calling the shots because of the Euros. So Premier League chief executive Richard Masters needs to put pressure on them.

 

How does the English game do that?

 

Well, if the TV companies say they want to wait, to see leagues finished and they’re happy to wait, it could apply some pressure.

 

I know the Premier League ­reiterated on Friday that they want to wait because they see completing the season important for the integrity of the competition – and I agree. Again, no one is saying put lives at risk. That is not even part of the agenda.
 

And, with economies crashing globally, there will be financial arguments about when it is safe to go back to work, mixed in with the medical.

 

If the Government pull their funding for ­furloughs, etc (which, I suspect, they can’t sustain forever), then will people say they’re not going back to work? I honestly believe that, if the ­Premier League does return, the players will be a far safer than we are as the general public. They will be in a full “biosphere bubble”, as Formula One has deemed it, with typical jargon b**t.

 

What that means is they will be tested every few days, and won’t come into ­contact with anyone who isn’t also tested every three days. They won’t have to go on public transport, go into supermarkets, do all the things that everyone else has to do to put them at risk.

 

And if they do contract the virus, it will be found ­incredibly early – because, apart from testing, they will have heart checks, oxygen checks, health checks every single day.

 

It doesn’t half protect you when you wear a heart monitor in your daily job and have a team of fitness experts tracking your every heartbeat, your every bead of sweat.

 

They will be a damn sight safer than anyone.

 

They won’t be at risk like frontline NHS staff, care workers, bus drivers, shop workers and so many others.

 

Who all get paid a ridiculously low wage to put their lives on the line every single day.

 

They will only go back to work when it is safe to do so! I am not saying they need to put ­themselves on the line for the country. I’m saying, with all the resources the Premier League and clubs have to throw at it, safety will be ­paramount and relatively easy to deliver.

 

And one thing I know, if the Germans are ­coming back shortly to play football, then you can bet it is safe to do so there.

 

So don’t tell me the season has to be null and void. That is a ridiculous argument.


No one is talking about a second wave in all the opinions wasted on what should and shouldn’t happen.

 

There is a second Covid-19 wave coming, so let’s finish this season and then see what hand we have to play with for next season.

 

When I hear this null-and-void argument put forward, I always think one thing: will the virus respect null and void? Nope. It’s not going to suddenly ­disappear to allow next season to be played in full and without complication, just because this season has been scrapped.

 

You can bet, though, that clubs are already factoring that into their financial and operational deliberations for the next 12 to 24 months.

 

So maybe we should start factoring it in too.

Barnsey on Twitter, also, with his usual sense.

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7 hours ago, El Rojo said:

LiVARPPG asterisk club 

Liverpool fans on Twitter have already started taking the piss out of rival fans by putting an astrix in or next to their names to show they don’t give a shit.

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9 hours ago, devilsadvocate said:

The plans re bcd/ neutral venues seems to have the support of the bulk of the league and given the choice of this or curtailment(ppg) which will cost them a lot more than if it's played out I think they'll get  the 14 required votes.


This is from The Athletic. It’s unclear if a vote is required. 
 

If 14 need to verify it, it might not happen. But if 14 teams need to oppose it, then I’d assume it’d pass.

 

CDEE4904-B132-469A-8B95-A5270E46FF15.jpeg
 

It also says Bournemouth, Watford & Southampton have started extensive work on their pitches so aren’t being considered as neutral grounds. I’d then assume Bournemouth & Watford can’t actually play their games at home anyway, so what do they fucking expect?

 

Or by tearing up their pitches, are they pushing for a void? 
 

If Villa, Brighton, Norwich & West Ham are so desperate to be inspired by the empty seats being their team colours, just let them. Who gives a shit, just finish it. 

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Reading some other articles, it sounds like curtailment options have been discussed rather than void.

 

If it’s clear it’s Neutral venues or nothing (which again The Athletic article says it is) then surely Norwich, Bournemouth & Villa will blink. 

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If this were to go ahead with agreement that relegation isn’t happening there is really nothing to play for outside of who finishes 2nd to 7th, in which case what is the point in the rest of the teams playing?

 

in my opinion it either needs to be called as it stands (with PPG adjustment for the 4 teams with a game in hand) - with it without relegation is fine by me - or it needs to be played out to a finish with relegation and euro qualification as standard.

 

anything other than those two options is pointless.

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“Sporting integrity” is fucking horseshit. 
 

I’d have more respect if clubs came out and just admitted it was all about money. 
 

Clubs don’t give a fuck about sporting integrity, they just want the TV money, they've had/are entitled to 75% of this seasons money and just want 100% of next seasons TV money. 
 

That’s why there’s all this bollocks about quitting this season and miraculously starting next season in August/September. 
 

They don’t give a shit about the ‘sporting integrity’ of this season or next. If they did they’d pause this season until it’s safe to play football in front of fans and if necessary miss next season. 
 

They want this seasons money and nexts, and if I hear some other dumb cunt mention ‘sporting integrity’ to me again I’m going to have a falling down moment. 

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1 hour ago, Scott_M said:

They should televise Friday’s meeting. If clubs have nothing to hide, then let the public view it. 

Not so sure.

 

Comments are going to have to be made in that meeting that, depending on who said them, will be twisted to create a narrative about the PL not caring about death.  Players will inevitably catch C-19. It'll probably have nothing to do with the football as to why they did, but when they went to the shops on the way back from training, so they need to find away of dealing with this sensibly. When that is said, some idiots will twist it. 

 

I saw that Crystal Palace Chariman who wrote a good article on the importance of football re-starting was invited by Gary Neville on to some show, and he said he would.  Anyone any idea which show?  It could be interesting to hear from someone heavily involved. 

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8 minutes ago, JohnnyH said:

Not so sure.

 

Comments are going to have to be made in that meeting that, depending on who said them, will be twisted to create a narrative about the PL not caring about death.  Players will inevitably catch C-19. It'll probably have nothing to do with the football as to why they did, but when they went to the shops on the way back from training, so they need to find away of dealing with this sensibly. When that is said, some idiots will twist it. 

 

I saw that Crystal Palace Chariman who wrote a good article on the importance of football re-starting was invited by Gary Neville on to some show, and he said he would.  Anyone any idea which show?  It could be interesting to hear from someone heavily involved. 


Parish wrote a decent article???

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17 minutes ago, JohnnyH said:

I saw that Crystal Palace Chariman who wrote a good article on the importance of football re-starting was invited by Gary Neville on to some show, and he said he would.  Anyone any idea which show?  It could be interesting to hear from someone heavily involved. 


Yes, it was a good article.

 

I believe he’s on The Football Show tomorrow at 9am on Sky Sports.

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42 minutes ago, lifetime fan said:


Parish wrote a decent article???

 

He basically just stated clearly that the idea "it's all about the money" is somewhat true, but not for fully negative reasons.  Just like any other business it'll die if it can't get revenue streams in at some point in the not to distant future.  Also that players will be more likely to catch C-19 in their local shops then on the pitch given the protocols.  He doesn't answer everything, but at least there's a person with a real dog in the fight commentating.

 

The likes of Everton fans need to hear that if this season is voided that after last seasons financial results they will more than likely go under.  Parish can do that.  Just like all business, there needs to be a bit of sense to speak against the gobshites shouting "How can you think of football while people are dying".

 

In fact, it'd be good if the people who rely on football for a basic income started speaking out more.  Show the human side, not a fella on £350k a week saying he's scared, even if he has every right to feel that way.

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29 minutes ago, dockers_strike said:

It's interesting to read some of the comments in the sports pages over these 6 clubs. From a narrative of 'void it' and stop Liverpool, the majority seem to be calling out these 6 clubs and insistence of no neutral grounds or no relegation.


Its because the suggestions of trying to weasel out of relegation is absolute bull shit and everybody can clearly see through what self serving bollocks it is. 
 

Neutral venues ruins integrity - but we’ll play if we can’t be relegated.

 

We don’t think it’s safe - but we’ll play if we can’t be relegated.
 

Its completely pathetic that teams aren’t prepared to play the game, which they are paid millions of pounds to do, to conclude the season on the purest of sporting merits - which is essentially what the game is about.

 

I know neutral grounds isn’t the a great scenario but it’s clearly the fairest option sporting merit.

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