Premier League has ‘ambitious’ plan to resume season in May
English top flight is under pressure to make a decision due to financial concerns and broadcast deals
The English Premier League could restart as early as May in order to finish the season by 12 July.
In what it bills as an “exclusive”, the Daily Mail says that the EPL bosses have drawn up an “ambitious plan to restart the season behind closed doors on the first weekend of May”.
Their proposal will be examined in detail during a conference call of the 20 clubs on Friday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ultimately, however, it won’t be the Premier League that calls the shots but the government, who will take advice from public health bodies.
Given that the deputy chief medical officer warned on Sunday that it could be six months before the country is back to normal after the coronavirus crisis, the hopes of a May restart could turn out to be premature.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Financial pressure
The Mail says that the Premier League is desperate to resume action otherwise it will face a financial meltdown.
According to the paper, broadcasting contracts stipulate that the cut-off point to finish this season is 16 July. If the campaign is not completed by that date, then “Sky Sports, BT Sport and the international rights-holders could demand rebates totalling as much as £762m”.
If clubs were forced to repay that money it would leave many struggling to pay their players’ wages, and the Mail says that the bigger clubs would suffer the greatest financial losses because the terms of the overseas television deal means that more money is distributed to the clubs at the top of the table.
The broadcasters are apparently putting pressure on the Premier League to make a decision so that everyone knows where they stand.
In recent days there have been “informal talks” between clubs and the consensus is that the season could be completed by 12 July were matches to resume at the start of May.
No relegation?
Another controversial proposal that will be discussed at Friday’s meeting is whether the season, if it does resume in May, should be completed without relegation “on the grounds that the integrity of the competition is threatened”.
There is growing doubt whether the Championship will be concluded this season and that would obviously impact the clubs in the relegation zone.
But the Mail says that the clubs at the top of the Championship are allegedly “making preparations to take legal action if they are denied promotion”. However, if their competition is abandoned it would be unlikely that they would win a legal battle.
Another obstacle that could thwart the Premier League’s ambition to resume matches is the willingness of the players as many are not insured for coronavirus as it is not listed as a critical illness.
Today’s back pages
‘Covidiot’ Jack Grealish is fined by Aston Villa
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What message is Trump sending with his Cabinet picks?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION By nominating high-profile loyalists like Matt Gaetz and RFK Jr., is Trump serious about creating a functioning Cabinet, or does he have a different plan in mind?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s financial charges: what next for the Premier League champions?
feature The club is alleged to have breached financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period
By Mike Starling Published