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Update Fear And Greed PL Clubs To Decide

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 29/04/2020 - 18:57

On Friday representatives of the twenty Barclays Premier League football clubs will convene to discuss the possibility of resuming the season that has been suspended since the second week in March. When they do sit down to video chat, perhaps they should pause for a moment and remember the 'insanity' of letting the Liverpool champion's league match go ahead against Atletico Madrid at Anfield, which had over 3,000 visiting fans, despite much of Spain being in lock down. They may also consider the implications and consequences that those in charge of the Cheltenham racing festival that went ahead might now be feeling.

Tragically both these events have been proven to have hastened the spread of the Covid 19 Corona virus pandemic, neither event was sanctioned by the Premier League collective at the time and to be fair clubs moved swiftly to postpone the remaining fixtures. Unfortunately such is the beast of the business profile of the Barclays Premier League, that the operating constraints it has to work within are critically restricted by time. Having paid out millions for a season's football the broadcasters expect their pound of flesh, likewise the clubs need to fulfill their remaining fixtures in order to get their next tranche of TV coverage payments, payments that in most cases have already been spent technically, Sign Up Bonuses have some interesting odds regarding possible outcomes.

All medical advice is pointing toward the need for extreme care before exposing players, staff, officials and emergency services to the potential threat of spreading the virus. We contacted Professor Jonothan Abel at UCL who is conducting research in to a possible delaying treatment until a proper inoculation is available. "In my opinion it would be an absolute disaster to begin ANY sports event whether behind closed doors or not until there is a definite change in the current data, and that includes the most recent infection and death rate curve" he went on to mention that the chief medical officer from FIFA Michel d'Hooghe has described any attempt at reopening sporting events within the next three months as 'extremely' reckless.

So furnished with salutary guidance from the medical profession ringing in their ears how will the twenty 'elite' clubs vote, and what will their individual agenda's be? At risk of sounding like a cracked record, runaway leaders Liverpool will undoubtedly feel hard done by if the season is considered null and void as it would mean them missing out on their first Premier League title since 1996, West Bromwich Albion, Leeds United and one other will feel equally as hard done by due to missing out on promotion to the 'promised land' that is the Premier League with all its enormous fiscal rewards.

Whatever decision is reached collectively, there will be winners and losers, TV money would be vastly reduced if remaining games cannot be played, the implications of which would be devastating and long term. Attempting to complete the remaining fixtures would be fraught with difficulties, the French League have joined the Dutch by nullifying their season, a decision not taken lightly but one that does not have the same impact as it would in England, where due to the massive amount of money paid by people to see the most exciting League in the World, the disproportionate effect will be felt much more!

Of course nullifying the season would suit West Ham United down to the ground, the potential for David Moyes to start from scratch would be welcomed with open arms, so how could a compromise be found that suits all parties? Well money is the key, but as the Barclays Premier League is so well funded there should be enough sloshing around to make generous compensatory payments to those clubs who would suffer as a result of nullification. At the end of the day, the number crunchers and powers that be will lose a lot of money, either way it would cost upwards of £300 Million excluding loss of TV revenue.

Most of the parties involved recognise the unique circumstances call for a 'one off' decision, but irrespective of who pays the piper there will be an awful lot of disgruntled fans at the end of the day, including clubs who might end up being relegated by games played behind closed doors, possibly at neutral venues. West Ham are prime candidates for the drop, the club's case not helped by Baroness Brady pointing out the obvious probable outcome, but in a way that seemed pernicious, she would have been wiser to keep her own counsel, Friday's meeting will either shine alight or cast a deep shadow. - Ed
PS: A friend of the site who is a personal fitness trainer just sent this message in, it reads ......This Pandemic ..this silent killer that moves in stealth has now come closer to me..claiming the life of a good friend of mine..a father of 3 he was only 46 fit and healthy.I spoke with him only 3 weeks ago.he said he had flu like symptoms..and now he's gone..so fast. (perhaps the bean counters and number crunchers may care to bare this in mind as well?)

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Prime candidates for the drop,a strong possibility Nev,as i have stated in previous posts,all this time out wont suit us at all.Your last input of the friend of a friend,is the crunching reality of all this,and there are thousands of those around the country with the same story,and yes it should be thought of,and taken seriously......money or health???? Its a no brainer.

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31 users have voted.

I think the full implication of what has happened hasn't dawned on our political leaders ,i was listening to an economist on tv tonight ,he said it could result in total economic meltdown that would make 39 look like a bad day at the office ,in his opinion we got a start the economy again otherwise it could be all over

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29 users have voted.

As the lockdown is going to be extended for another 3 weeks how can the PL possibly start up.

The only sensible thing to do is cancel the season. Promote Leeds and West Brom, no relegation and 22 teams next season

with the extra 2 teams to play off for the following 2 seasons to get back to 20.Who wants to watch televised football from an empty stadium.A complete

waste of time and effort.

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28 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

Unfortunately we trump that in our family. My wife lost her nephew last Friday, 48, ex RAF, puts things in perspective

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36 users have voted.

This bloody virus! Just found out yesterday a friend has passed away from it,only 44...it hits home

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24 users have voted.

Dartford,65,sorry to here about your friends,its just as i put earlier,its a no brainer,money dosent come into it,if you havent got your health,what good is money......stay safe and well boys.

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28 users have voted.

But even so it does hit home,couple of weeks ago a neighbour opposite lost their son to it he was only in his twentys!bloody horrid when the undertakers turned up,hopefully things will improve for everyone soon.take care Stan.x

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26 users have voted.
moore 6 legend's picture

Tragic mate losing a kid our worst nightmare,my daughter is doing 2 carer jobs not only because she loves it also because the money is dogshit, it scares me shitless mate.you and your family take care too dave x

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30 users have voted.

Shes on the front line cos she cares about people so much!my missus was put on a ward,that was a big worry for us but luckily she come out if it unscathed & is back working from home.you & family stay safe too Stan.x

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33 users have voted.

sorry for your losses and on hind site i think the whole season should be cancelled at the end of the day it is only money life is far more important .Dam this virus

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26 users have voted.

That this season may be cancelled & next season will have the 2 top teams from the chumps as well! Not a bad idea,but like everyone says it's just not important at the moment

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26 users have voted.

I read somewhere that for every 1% increase in unemployment there is a 1.6% increase in suicide. This was a figure from America so it might not travel so well, you guys in England have a much better NHS and Social Security than they do. Added to that the increased levels of poverty worldwide I can understand the cries to get back to "normal". If we open up, people will die. If we stay in lockdown people will also die. I wouldn't like to be the one making the decision.

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32 users have voted.

That is the problem,yet all this bleating on about the football season must be complete,i miss it something awful,but bollocks to it,scrap this season and get ready for the next,its too soon,by August things may be a bit clearer,who cares about the scousers missing out for 30 years,we have missed out full stop,i feel for the championship teams not getting promoted,but there you go,these are unprecedented times,so big deal,people are losing lives.

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37 users have voted.
moore 6 legend's picture

Spot on Essex,we are nearly on a par with Italy on death rates and the way it's going we will have the highest in Europe,f@ck greedy prem, sky ect...I've cancelled mine.

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32 users have voted.

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