Premier League clubs will meet on Thursday to discuss the plans available to sort out what remains of the 2019-20 season.
With suggestions plentiful that some clubs (most noticeably West Ham) wants to render this season null and and, in effect, start again for 2020-21, this emergency meeting will put plenty of options on the table for all 20 PL clubs.
The Premier League season is currently suspended until April 4 due to the coronavirus outbreak and many believe that restarting games on that date is hugely optimistic given the fact that the virus is due to peak in England in May.
UEFA, soccer’s governing body in Europe, are holding a meeting on Tuesday which will determine their stance on whether or not EURO 2020 will go ahead this summer and if the UEFA Europa League and Champions League will continue. If EURO 2020 is postponed, the Premier League would have plenty of time to extend its season into the rest of May and June and finish the 2019-20 season.
With concerns over which clubs will be relegated and which teams will be promoted from the Championship to the Premier League, there is also a serious prospect of legal battles depending on which outcome Premier League clubs decide.
If the decision isn’t unanimous then a vote between PL clubs would need 14 out of 20 to agree on a plan for it to come into place.
Per our partners at Sky Sports in the UK, here are a few more details on the mood building ahead of this meeting.
“Some clubs believe the season can still be completed if games start again on April 4 but others think it is more realistic to start preparing for the possibility of there being no top-flight football until the start of next season in August. One senior source at a Premier League club says he believes there is a ’75 per cent chance this season will not be complete.’”
More coronavirus connections to soccer:
- The Premier League has postponed play through at least April 3. Aston Villa’s chief executive called it “a very good decision” while Jurgen Klopp said we must “protect each other.”
- CONCACAF has suspended play for a month, while UEFA postponed all fixtures next week ahead of a meeting to discuss plans for both club and international European competitions.
- Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi is the first Premier League player to test positive for coronavirus.
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested posted for coronavirus and the players and staff at the club are self-isolating.
- MLS announced its 2020 season is suspended for at least 30 days.
- Three Leicester City players are in self-isolation after displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
- Real Madrid players in isolation and La Liga games suspended for the next two weeks after Real basketball player tests positive for coronavirus.
- Serie A is considering alternative ways to conclude its scudetto and relegation races, including playoffs or the non-awarding of a champion.
- Juventus confirm that their defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus.
- Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis being diagnosed with coronavirus. Olympiacos and Forest have since confirmed all of their staff and players have been tested and their tests have come back as negative