Coronavirus and football.

[Geoff Parkstone]

So it sounds like we will have 13 weeks of lockdown in some form or another if things run how the scotch scientists believe to be the case.

That takes out April, May and most of June

So it looks like maybe behind doors could start beginning of July?

Of course many players will be out of contract by then and even committed to new teams. Even if the leagues agree to blanket extend all players contracts for 2 months there will be issues .

So looks like the only way to get league games finished in any sensible form would be to cancel all european competitions, cancel the FA Cup and playing twice a week. This is the "best case scenario" assuming that after 13 weeks things will be OK for limited social contact - but I doubt mass gatherings such as crowds will happen.

Anyone believe this can happen? As for me I'd sooner have an undisturbed 20-21 season, rather than try to cram the end of 2019-20 in and starting 20-21 late. Write it off now.

[Andy_Faber]

So it sounds like we will have 13 weeks of lockdown in some form or another if things run how the scotch scientists believe to be the case.

That takes out April, May and most of June

So it looks like maybe behind doors could start beginning of July?

Of course many players will be out of contract by then and even committed to new teams. Even if the leagues agree to blanket extend all players contracts for 2 months there will be issues .

So looks like the only way to get league games finished in any sensible form would be to cancel all european competitions, cancel the FA Cup and playing twice a week. This is the "best case scenario" assuming that after 13 weeks things will be OK for limited social contact - but I doubt mass gatherings such as crowds will happen.

Anyone believe this can happen? As for me I'd sooner have an undisturbed 20-21 season, rather than try to cram the end of 2019-20 in and starting 20-21 late. Write it off now.

It all depends on timing of the easing of restrictions. IMO the many vested interests will ensure that the current season is finished in front of empty stadia, the new season will start late, and depending on how late it starts either some comps will be sacrificed (League cup prob) for a season and/or teams will only play each other once. Another possibility is allow euro-league qualifying teams to increase their squads and effectively run two parallel teams, one for league one for cups (I know this sort of happens now)

[Ram59]

What rules? Where exactly is this stipulated in the PL or EFL rules? My understanding is that it isn't because it was never envisaged.

I still think the season will be completed, there are various contracts with Tv companies etc. Even if that means starting it in August and starting next season after a couple of weeks break. Thats not impractical and not beyond the wit of intelligent human beings to organise!

I don't think there is an actual provision for this particular case. But, as an extension of the rule whereby any club who can't fulfill their fixtures, then have all the previous results cancelled. Ie, if Barnsley went out of business in January, our results against them would have been struck off.

So, if all of the clubs can't fulfil their fixtures, then all of the previous results are struck off.

[ramAnag]

Writing off the results of 25-30 matches in the circumstances you describe is not really a precedent for writing off the 2700 plus matches you are advocating imo.

[Ram59]

As quoted, any fixtures not completed are null and void. It wasn't difficult to understand was it? If they don't finish the season, they can't possibly promote/ relegate anyone. Null and void.

As for finishing the season, it isn't as easy as you make out. You have to comply with UEFA and their fixtures. You have to allow for the rest periods that will be lost. You will throw the transfer market up in the air.
On a personal front, my club was due to knock down the main stand this summer. God knows whats happening now.
So it isn't as simple as you are projecting Swale.
Remember everyone would have to agree and comply.
The longer this quarantine goes on, ( the signs look like it getting extended) then the odds are the season is gone.

Did you say knock down, or did you mean let fall down? 🙄

[Trickytreesreds]

Did you say knock down, or did you mean let fall down? ��

Either way, I wouldn't be bothered. As long as it's gone. What's lined up is lovely.

[AdiSalisbury]

Surely it will just be condensed and pushed back slightly. This issue isn't just the English game, everywhere will have the same problems.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Let us assume that there is no "meltdown clause", so in absence of such, reference has to be made to the individual "any club failing to complete its fixtures has its results voided" rule, as its all there is.

Apply it 72 times (I reference just the EFL here) and that is the issue resolved. I'm not sure what PL rules say as it really does not interest me.

It's the only rule that gets close to an answer 😏

Following this through, are all 72 teams then kicked out of the league and have to apply for reelection. Teams beginning with the letters "Not" need not apply.

[swaledale]

Let us assume that there is no "meltdown clause", so in absence of such, reference has to be made to the individual "any club failing to complete its fixtures has its results voided" rule, as its all there is.

Apply it 72 times (I reference just the EFL here) and that is the issue resolved. I'm not sure what PL rules say as it really does not interest me.

It's the only rule that gets close to an answer ��

Following this through, are all 72 teams then kicked out of the league and have to apply for reelection. Teams beginning with the letters "Not" need not apply.

Which would result in my learned friends being engaged so the EFL will have to agree with clubs the way forward and a vote taken on it.

[MadAmster]

Which would result in my learned friends being engaged so the EFL will have to agree with clubs the way forward and a vote taken on it.

Even a vote wouldn't guarantee that no club would be sufficiently unhappy to engage a learned friend and go to court anyway.