PREMIER LEAGUE
Premier League suspended with Liverpool on the brink of title
After a chaotic few days in the world of football, the Premier League has announced that fixtures will be put on hold until the 4th April due to coronavirus outbreak.
Just days after coronavirus was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation, on Friday morning it was announced that league football in England would follow the example set by the other top European leagues and postpone competition with fears mounting over the wellbeing of players, officials and supporters.
The news represents an abrupt U-turn from the Premier League, who last night announced that this weekend’s fixtures would be going ahead as planned. However that statement was quickly followed by news that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi had tested positive for covid-19.
After elimination from the Champions League on Wednesday night, Liverpool’s focus had turned to the weekend’s fixtures which could have seen them mathematically confirmed as champions with a win over Everton on Monday night.
With no fixtures across Europe’s major leagues for the next two weeks at least, football’s governing bodies are looking for ways to adequately conclude the domestic season before the European Championships are due to begin in mid-June.
Football schedule remains up in the air
Some have suggested that Euro 2020 could be moved to next year to allow the league season to continue through the summer, but that could have a big impact on some of Liverpool’s star players. The likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have played a huge number of club and international games over recent seasons and were due a proper summer break for the first time in years.
Italy’s Serie A was the first European League to face disruption, initially postponing four games scheduled for the 22nd February. But on Tuesday 10th March it was announced that the entire Italian top flight would be suspended until April 3rd at the earliest due, a move the Premier League has now copied.
The situation in Italy is currently more serious but reports from the UK government have suggested that disruption could continue for three months. If that is the case it may be impossible to complete the remaining fixtures, something that officials in Italy are already considering. Gabriele Marcotti reported in the Corriere dello Sport that the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) is currently considering their options if the league season cannot be completed.
It is believed that one of the options suggested would see a repeat of the 2004/05 season where no club was crowned champions due to the Calciopoli scandal. European places would be awarded based on current standings but those in the relegation places would be saved, with no sides coming up from the second tier.
It seems unlikely that the Premier League would use this option given Liverpool’s 25-point cushion at the top, but it would be a nightmare scenario for everyone at Anfield with the Reds closing in on a first Premier League title.
Liverpool fans hoping season gets finished
Liverpool fan George is yet to see his side crowned champions in his lifetime, and would rather see the European Championships postponed in order to complete the domestic season properly.
“As long as we make sure that this season gets finished and we get this title I’ll be a happy fan. Personally I can’t see the Euros being on so I’d imagine they will have time in the summer to get it finished”.
Speaking about the prospect of playing games being closed doors, he said he’d rather play it safe and postpone fixtures than try to rush the season to a conclusion.
“It’s a good decision to postpone the Premier League now, for the health and well-being of the fans and all involved. It just depends how bad this gets over the next few weeks”.
“I’d much prefer them to just postpone it until May or June than play with no fans”.
However the authorities decide to proceed, the disruption to the Premier League schedule will be unlike anything seen before.
Liverpool released a club statement on Friday afternoon, welcoming the decision as a sensible precaution “in the best interests of players, staff and supporters."
Liverpool released a club statement on Friday afternoon welcoming the decision and manager Jürgen Klopp had the following to say:
“We support it completely. We have seen members of teams we compete against become ill. This virus has shown that being involved in football offers no immunity. To our rival clubs and individuals who are affected and to those who later will become so, you are in our thoughts and prayers”.