Football heads for extra-time to finish season

JUST as the decision not to resume professional football until April 30 at the earliest is being viewed as a common-sense move in troubled times, so the quietening of talk about declaring the season as null and void has been met with appreciation.
Leeds United's Mateusz Klich celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Barnsley in the Championship this season.Leeds United's Mateusz Klich celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Barnsley in the Championship this season.
Leeds United's Mateusz Klich celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Barnsley in the Championship this season.

English football’s governing bodies have now decided to indefinitely extend the 2019-20 campaign into high summer, most likely, due to the coronavirus pandemic – pushing back the previous resumption date of April 4.

A model of how the schedule could look based on a variety of dates for the campaign to resume was shown to Premier League chiefs at a meeting on Thursday, with the earlier decision to postpone Euro 2020 providing valuable breathing space.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is understood top-flight bosses were shown modelling of how the schedule could look based on a variety of dates for the campaign to resume, with Tuesday’s decision to postpone Euro 2020 until next year giving greater room for manoeuvre into the summer.

Rotherham United's manager Paul Warne.Rotherham United's manager Paul Warne.
Rotherham United's manager Paul Warne.

A statement from the Premier League, EFL and the Football Association, along with the Women’s professional game, the Professional Footballers’ Association and the League Managers’ Association read: “We have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than April 30.”

“We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.”

The commitment to ‘finding ways’ of re-starting the campaign and not scrapping it – to protect the sporting integrity of leagues is being viewed as particularly significant.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bradford City director of communications Ryan Sparks told The Yorkshire Post: “Voiding the season would be ridiculous on every level and in Bradford City’s opinion, we would absolutely never support a move towards that. That is just people looking after themselves.

“The integrity of the sport would be out of the window if we void the season.

“When there are 20 clubs across the divisions fighting for promotion and relegation – maybe more – how can you put a roadblock in there? Anyone who argues any different are doing it for their own reasons.

“We are still in the mix for a play-off finish and it is one reason why we would not want to void the season. But we do it for the greater good of the game.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Barnsley chief executive officer Dane Murphy also referenced the importance of the commitment to concluding the season as being key.

In a club statement, he said: “The health and wellbeing of supporters, staff and players remains paramount in tackling this outbreak. As a club, we continue to follow Government protocol.

“We are all committed to finding ways of resuming the football season and ensuring matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

“To this end, we supported UEFA’s decision to postpone EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In his capacity as a manager, Rotherham United chief Paul Warne – whose side have more to lose than many if this season is ultimately scrapped with the Millers being second in League One and well placed for promotion – is naturally keen that the campaign reaches a conclusion.

But equally he acknowledges that the UK and the wider world – let alone football – are truly living in unprecedented times, with his sentiments ultimately being philosophical ones.

“The position we are in, we would love the season to finish, but not to the risk of anyone’s well-being, I am not that crazy,” Warne said.

“If the season got written off, of course I would be disappointed, but you have to put it into context of what is happening in the world.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I would love to finish, I am not a fan of it finishing behind closed doors, that doesn’t seem right.

“But as the weeks progress it will become more apparent of what is going to happen. Things will be out of our control and if we can all get through healthy and happy, then I am not going to lose sleep about football.”

Meanwhile, world governing body FIFA has established a working group to look at temporary amendments and dispensations on player contracts, with standard deals expiring on June 30 – when some domestic seasons could still be taking place or, in theory, still suspended.

At Thursday’s Premier League meeting, clubs also discussed the financial impact of the pandemic, and the imperative of finishing the season from an economic perspective in order to fulfil commitments to broadcast partners – including the prospect of playing games behind closed doors,

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The league has a shareholders’ meeting scheduled for early April, but it may decide to call a further meeting before that.

It is understood Premier League clubs did not discuss the possibility of financial assistance being offered to the EFL at Thursday’s meeting.

The EFL said on Wednesday it was releasing £50m as a short-term relief package to assist cash-strapped clubs.