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Which is fairer? Coronavirus implications

dontcallme

SC Supporter
Mar 18, 2005
33,986
81,917
Definitely no easy answer to this. The league can't really make a decision until we know when the virus for everywhere is at an end.

I can't see us isolating and finding a cure that is accessible to everyone for months.

If we were ready to go by the beginning of May then we could do a straight 2 games a week scenario for 5 weeks though what we do with the cups I am not sure.

My feeling is we will likely just have to void the season. Too many factors involved to end this amicably where everyone is happy.
 

Led's Zeppelin

Can't Re Member
May 28, 2013
7,333
20,178
Realistically, even if we do void the season I can see the clubs voting to give Liverpool the title.

And what would we do about the CL places? Basing them on current standings is way more contentious than giving Liverpool the title in my opinion. Liverpool are so far ahead that they would certainly win the league if the season was played out, but it's equally certain that over another 9 games there would still be an upset or two in the next few places.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,561
I always watch sport (Olympics, football matches played on overlapping times etc.) by the mantra that the end of an event is far more important than the start of the next. That's how I feel about the football season now I've had time to dwell on it.

This season has to be completed and next season cut shorter if it needs to be, because if it is shortened then every team competing will know the score and know how it impacts them before it starts, and this is fairer for everyone.

The only issue I see with carrying on for as long as it takes is the June 30th contract expiries, but IMO it's a minor problem compared to others that arise from all other scenarios.
 

dontcallme

SC Supporter
Mar 18, 2005
33,986
81,917
Realistically, even if we do void the season I can see the clubs voting to give Liverpool the title.

And what would we do about the CL places? Basing them on current standings is way more contentious than giving Liverpool the title in my opinion. Liverpool are so far ahead that they would certainly win the league if the season was played out, but it's equally certain that over another 9 games there would still be an upset or two in the next few places.
I think this is the problem. From a footballing point of view we can agree Liverpool are going to win the title but it's clearly not fair to relegate teams or put teams into Europe based on their current position.

So it's either void the season, no one wins the title or gets relegated, or we find a way to finish the season.
 

Yid-ol

Just-outside Edinburgh
Jan 16, 2006
31,097
19,276
I think this is the problem. From a footballing point of view we can agree Liverpool are going to win the title but it's clearly not fair to relegate teams or put teams into Europe based on their current position.

So it's either void the season, no one wins the title or gets relegated, or we find a way to finish the season.

What happens to cups already won? Would they be void or would city keep it?
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,906
78,643
Seen a few coaches in China on LinkedIn say that they are preparing for return of training.

May give us an idea on how long football is done for.
 

Led's Zeppelin

Can't Re Member
May 28, 2013
7,333
20,178
What happens to cups already won? Would they be void or would city keep it?

I see no problem keeping cups already won.

It's only uncompleted competitions that should be voided. So uncompleted cups and the league season, together with issues arising from it that would be voided, like European qualification and relegation and promotion issues, but nothing else. (Not that there is much else. aside from the Milk Cup!) In my view anyway.
 

fortworthspur

Well-Known Member
Nov 12, 2007
11,244
17,536
season is voided is the most sensible solution. Im biased of course but you cant have a home and away round robin if a quarter of the games havent been played. Maybe they could do some revenue sharing from the CL and likely promoted/relegated teams if a compromise is needed.
 

Spurslove

Well-Known Member
Jul 6, 2012
6,627
9,281
Really don't think behind closed doors is feasible unless someone can tell me what they're going to do about ambulances?

I believe every major game has at least one available just in case there's a serious accident & a player needs hospitalisation & I don't see the Gov releasing any of them until we're well on the downward curve, but others may tell me differently.

In Australia, the Hyundai A-League is still functioning perfectly well with no spectators being present. Yes it was a bit weird at first, but they seem to be just getting on with it and I've been watching their games live on BT Sport. In fact, I've quite got into it now. I appreciate their particular situation is different to our own in some respects but they at least are getting on with completing their season. There has to be a way we can organise playing the rest of our season without fans being present, with live games being broadcast as usual, now that all pubs and bars have been shut down.

If players and their agents and their lawyers object, their 'issues' should be made public so the punters can see what a bunch of ***ts they really are. Millions of people are being forced to make terrible financial sacrifices in their lives right now out here in the real world and footballers with their ridiculous wages should be no different. If the authorities are so determined to play out the rest of the games, then the only logical thing would be to do so in front of empty stadiums and (fingers crossed) by the time the next season starts in August, we can revert to normal (well, more or less).

.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
I see no problem keeping cups already won.

It's only uncompleted competitions that should be voided. So uncompleted cups and the league season, together with issues arising from it that would be voided, like European qualification and relegation and promotion issues, but nothing else. (Not that there is much else. aside from the Milk Cup!) In my view anyway.

But what about the place the FA Cup winners get in the next season’s Europa League or the Europa League winners going into the Champions League or the winners of the Champions League being In the competition the following year should both teams not qualify for the competitions through their league places?

For example we could play out the league, Chelsea finish 6th, yet if the Champions League isn’t completed they could say they could have won it. Same with Man Utd in the Europa league if the finish 6th.

Basically everything has to be completed if that’s the route gone down else it’s completely unfair.
 

Led's Zeppelin

Can't Re Member
May 28, 2013
7,333
20,178
But what about the place the FA Cup winners get in the next season’s Europa League or the Europa League winners going into the Champions League or the winners of the Champions League being In the competition the following year should both teams not qualify for the competitions through their league places?

For example we could play out the league, Chelsea finish 6th, yet if the Champions League isn’t completed they could say they could have won it. Same with Man Utd in the Europa league if the finish 6th.

Basically everything has to be completed if that’s the route gone down else it’s completely unfair.



Whatever happens, it will be unfair to someone. We have to accept some of these unfairnesses because there isn’t a perfect answer.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
Whatever happens, it will be unfair to someone. We have to accept some of these unfairnesses because there isn’t a perfect answer.

Limiting the unfairness is what’s important though. The only way of doing that is starting again from scratch. Less teams impacted that way I feel.
 

Led's Zeppelin

Can't Re Member
May 28, 2013
7,333
20,178
Also, what about the transfer season?

I can see lots of issues coming up. For example, many players have contracts expiring soon. You can’t forcibly extend them just by extending the end of the season. But clubs may be reluctant to offer the normal sort of increases given all the wider uncertainties, which will encourage some players and their agents to agitate for a move more they they might have done.

And all this before the season's ended the way things are looking.
 

John48

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2015
2,249
3,143
In Australia, the Hyundai A-League is still functioning perfectly well with no spectators being present. Yes it was a bit weird at first, but they seem to be just getting on with it and I've been watching their games live on BT Sport. In fact, I've quite got into it now. I appreciate their particular situation is different to our own in some respects but they at least are getting on with completing their season. There has to be a way we can organise playing the rest of our season without fans being present, with live games being broadcast as usual, now that all pubs and bars have been shut down.

Well maybe they've got ambulances to spare for matches then so be it. If they haven't & there's a serious injury on the pitch that requires a player to get to hospital asap & they have to wait awhile for one to turn up there might be a different view taken.
 

jimbo

Cabbages
Dec 22, 2003
8,035
7,435
And what would we do about the CL places? Basing them on current standings is way more contentious than giving Liverpool the title in my opinion. Liverpool are so far ahead that they would certainly win the league if the season was played out, but it's equally certain that over another 9 games there would still be an upset or two in the next few places.

My suggestion earlier in the thread was to decide European places based on UEFA coefficient. It would be hard on the likes of Sheff Utd but at least it rewards consistency in qualification and tournament progression.
 

Gassin's finest

C'est diabolique
May 12, 2010
37,353
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SirHarryHotspur

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2017
5,003
7,421
Apart from finishing this seasons UEFA competitions , UEFA might have to rethink qualification for next season like doing away with group stages etc, will lose them money but may have to happen if virus lingers.
 
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