14 Apr 2020 13:03:01
Was just thinking about how this season could be finished and the possibility of not running into next seasons schedule.
At the moment we obviously don't know when football, especially with crowds involved, will happen. How would it be that whenever that may be, we finish the season off. Transfer window can be open at any time, like it used to in years gone by. In a short pre season, teams can play high profile friendlies live on sky/ BT to placate some of their shortfall. The new season could kick off asap after that, but due to all the euro playoffs/ world cup qualifiers/ african nations games to play still and dependent on when the season starts, the Euros in june/ possible Olympics close by, how would it be if the season could be played as just a short season, only playing each team in the league the once? A bit like they do in the 6 nations rugby.
I know there's a lot of variables there, but just all about next season might not start on time, there would be an immense amount of games to be played for some.

{Ed002's Note - It seems unlikely that there will be crowds at any more games if attempts continue to play out this season. As for playing friendlies on Sky or BT most of the clubs would resist such a thing and many clubs will not be keen to release players for FIFA endorsed competitions. Part of the problem with all plans where multiple nations or teams from multiple nations are involved remains readiness to restart and associated risks.

Completing the CL and EL after the UEFA threats is being discussed by the "elite" sides on Wednesday so we will see what comes of that, but UEFA are not going to be involved in the discussions.

The priorities for most leagues, including the PL, remains completing the season although some are going down the road of ending the seasons already. Nwxt season will certainly run late but nobody is planning on completely wrecking next season to complete this season.}


1.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 14:31:28
Totally understand Ed002, just seems as if next season can't really be planned either can it. Thank you, stay safe.

{Ed002's Note - Sure, but everyone wants the minimum disruption.}


2.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 14:51:05
Scrapping internationals next season would be sensible. I don’t really see how European games can continue also. Anything that involves swapping countries is a little bit stupid really.


3.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 15:46:21
It doesn't look like mass gatherings like the ones football attracts will be seen again for a long time, Italian politicians are saying pubs and restaurants won't open until there is a vaccine so stadiums likely have no chance.

{Ed002's Note - To be honest, in England it may not until towards the end of the year. This is one of the issues with games being held behind closed doors. You can easlily imagine Liverpool fans turning up en masse at St Georges Park when the game that could see them win the league being played. It is not the sort of facility that can be easily protected. This is where the Premier League need to be very careful - and this is not the only issue.}


4.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 16:20:05
Thanks for all the info you provide us, Ed02. Much appreciated. IMO if we did arrive at a scenario where LFC needed to play the game that would crown us champs behind close doors at the St George's Park, all that needs to be done is for the club to go on a public campaign, demanding that NO fans come anywhere near the venue and I am confident most LFC fans would obey this directive even tho, I agree, there will still be the few who will flout this plea, just as many are still flouting the lockdown rules in the States, here in Belgium and other parts of Europe.

{Ed002's Note - The example is what happened in Paris when PSG played a game behind closed doors recently. Thousands of fans showed up.}


5.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 16:23:33
In 1984 the police managed to protect the whole of Nottinghamshire from the rest of the british miners so protecting St Georges Park would be a doddle.

{Ed002's Note - If it going to go to that extent then the season needs to be ended now without any doubt at all. If that is the sort of threat from Liverpool fans the police can stop everything immediately and force the Premier League to not consider the matter.}


6.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 17:26:05
Ed2, you keep referencing what happened at PSG. This took place on the 11th March. France didn't go into lockdown till the following week, so I don't think it can be used as a yardstick. I cannot conceive of such scenes anywhere across Europe, as things stand.

{Ed002's Note - The supporters were banned from the stadium and the immediate surrounds of the stadium.}


7.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 17:29:45
Ed02, I am aware of what the PSG fans did and even their government officials called these fans idiots. I would hope that LFC fans would be nowhere near that stadium but as you say, this is not an exact science.

{Ed002's Note - I am sure they will be well behaved and not spoil it for everyone. But there is a much bigger concern that could stop it in any case - and clubs have been told not to discuss it and the press have been asked not to raise it. But the bottom line remains that it may not be a viable solution.}


8.) 14 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 17:32:58
Anyone that's not meant to be there if the game were to be played gets automatically a prison sentence.
Hopefully that would be a big enough deterant.

{Ed002's Note - Under what law would that be? It is all just stupidity.}


9.) 15 Apr 2020
14 Apr 2020 23:27:23
No matter what idiots will gather somewhere every team has them.


10.) 15 Apr 2020
15 Apr 2020 07:11:02
Prison doesn't prevent crime.

Football fans should not be trusted. Sorry. And it isn't just about Liverpool. Some of the rhetoric is as if the only discussion on the table is how to ensure Liverpool can play their games. There are dozens of other clubs and their fans to consider.


11.) 15 Apr 2020
15 Apr 2020 10:48:39
There are the Coronavirus Regulations now, though the impracticality of dealing with a large number of people would be too great.
If we’re not able to finish the season, I’m in favour of a conclusion based on points per game. At least that sees a fairer end game based on what clubs have done so far. That’s how the old pools panel worked, based on past results.
Of course it favours Liverpool but there again it favours all teams that have done well. And that is better than severely penalising them imo.


12.) 15 Apr 2020
15 Apr 2020 12:48:53
Fans can’t be trusted, end of. People can’t stay at home you think they wouldn’t be people turning up outside grounds.

You could threaten anything like points deductions, but that would just encourage rival fans to go to opposing stadiums. Yes I do think people would be that petty.

I think football is going to have some serious issues. You have a bunch of players that will just want to play as the majority have short careers as it is.
Leagues will get lines drawn under them (so prize money can be dealt out) but they will have huge drop in revenues from gate receipts, merchandise and tv deals.
I doubt players will go for prices they used to.
Stadiums are unlikely to be full for months. And games will need policing/ medics will that even be possible if there needed elsewhere?

Then you have the virus itself which may fail of but come back in the cooler months but the truth is we just don’t know. Or spike when lockdowns are lifted.

But a question for Ed002, could this be a catalyst for the ‘elite clubs’ to go it alone sooner then planned? Or is that still unlikely as they will be tied into contracts etc?

{Ed002's Note - The "elite" clubs (all clubs which is a record breaking attendance) have met today to disuss a pressing matter and little else. They are not looking to exploit the situation we are currently in to do anything drastic. THey are not concerned over contracts and when it happens it will be a planned target date to allow a transition.}


13.) 15 Apr 2020
15 Apr 2020 21:09:44
I'd like to imagine fans on the whole would not risk the journey, but there are enough morons out there capable of spoiling the show.
Perhaps a venue like St George's could be policed with hefty fines/ punishments on the cards, but again, it does seem like a very tough scenario.