PREMIER LEAGUE football has been cancelled until April 3 at the earliest due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Football chiefs took the decision to take a three-week break from the game with the pandemic worsening and sporting events being cancelled worldwide.
Premier League football has been cancelled until April 3 at the earliestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Liverpool’s impending Premier League title victory has been put on hold for nowCredit: Reuters
What does this mean for the top-flight? Will the season be finished? Will Liverpool be crowned champions?
Here is all we know at this stage.
What’s happening with the Premier League?
The Premier League has been suspended until April 3 at the earliest.
That postponement could and likely will be extended depending on government advice and the speard of the virus.
A decision will probably be made in the week beginning March 30 in the build-up to the fixtures scheduled for April 4 and 5.
We might not see Premier League action again until May depending on how bad the pandemic is.
At this point, clubs are determined to finish the season (whenever that may be) and allow European places, promotion and relegation spots to come to a natural conclusion.
What will happen to the fixtures between now and April 3?
As it stands, all Premier League, Football League and FA Cup fixtures between now and April 3 are postponed and will be rearranged at a later date.
When that date will be depends on when it’s safe to start playing football again. The truth is, nobody knows at the moment.
What about the Champions League, Europa League and Euros?
UEFA announced on Friday that next week’s Champions League and Europa League fixtures are postponed.
They are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the future of both tournaments this season along with Euro 2020 in the summer.
UEFA are likely to announce that Euro 2020 will be postponed by 12 months, allowing club football to continue into June and July and finish their seasons.
Could the season be cancelled altogether?
It’s a distinct possibility but the truth is nobody knows.
To get the seasons finished by July and then allow the players a break before next season, play would probably need to resume by early May.
But if this pandemic goes into June, there might be no other option but to cancel the season.
Would Liverpool be crowned champions if so?
Again, nobody knows.
The final decision will be made by the Premier League’s board – interim chair Claudia Arney, chief executive Richard Masters and Kevin Beeston.
They will consult with all 20 clubs but the final decision will rest with the board.
Will anybody be promoted or relegated?
Ideally, the season will be finished in the summer and promotion and relegation spots are decided.
If not, there could be all kinds of legal action and lawsuits from teams with millions of pounds on the line.
There will be no football in England until April 3 at the earliestCredit: PA:Press Association
Might next season be delayed?
It’s a possibility. One option could be to extend this season to allow it to play out to a natural conclusion and then restructure next season.
European football might not even exist next season if the campaigns can’t be completed.
Martin Keown says the Premier League must finish the season after the suspension
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
