THE Premier League season will be axed altogether if clubs don’t agree to matches being held at neutral venues.
That’s the verdict of Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers Association.
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Brighton are one of the clubs against surrendering home advantage in the run inCredit: PA:Press Association
Six teams, including Brighton, are believed to be against surrendering their home advantage in the run-in with so much money on the line.
Seagulls’ chief Paul Barber told the club’s official website: “We fully appreciate why playing behind closed doors is very likely to be a necessary compromise to play our remaining games while continuing to fully support the government’s efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“But, at this critical point in the season playing matches in neutral venues has, in our view, potential to have a material effect on the integrity of the competition.”
Fellow strugglers Watford, West Ham, Bournemouth, Norwich and Aston Villa are the others understood to be against the plans.
And Bevan has gloomily predicted that such a stance could see the season scrapped for good.
Asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme if that would be the case, he said: “Yes, I think that probably is correct.
“The Government, if they haven’t already, will be making it clear that home matches with densely populated stadia really puts into question whether social distancing rules can be adhered to and without doubt that will be on the voting next Monday with the clubs.”
Concerns have been raised by players and club doctors alike over the viability of “Project Restart”, with Brighton veteran Glenn Murray labelling plans as “farcical”.
But Bevan assured that more would become clear next week, when further details are relayed to players and coaches.
He continued: “Next week the medical and operational protocols are going to be presented to the managers and indeed the players.
“Hopefully there will be solutions that create this safe environment, in the meantime we’re staying very open-minded and as always the managers take their responsibility to the game very seriously on all these issues.”
More guidelines on social distancing, testing and equipment are expected to come to light prior to the meeting next Thursday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
