The Top Flight
Fansided

Premier League: April 30 not looking good for a return date – No football until it’s “safe”

By Ashley Anthony

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view of the barricaded entrance to Stamford Bridge stadium, home of Chelsea Football Club, on April 2, 2020 in London, England. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to many countries across the world, claiming over 40,000 lives and infecting hundreds of thousands more. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view of the barricaded entrance to Stamford Bridge stadium, home of Chelsea Football Club, on April 2, 2020 in London, England. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to many countries across the world, claiming over 40,000 lives and infecting hundreds of thousands more. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Not the news we wanted but the news we must accept. The COVID-19 spread signals the worst for football as return dates continue to get pushed back or get taken away altogether.

The reports of when football will continue have been all over the place, filled with uncertainty over whether we will be able to see the end of the 2019-2020 term or not. Before recent reports, the Bundesliga and Premier League had the April 18 and April 30 marked as return dates, respectively.

The other leagues like the Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A were suspended by their governments until further notice, displaying the severity of the issue plaguing us all worldwide. Since then there has been a massive hike in the number of cases concerning the Coronavirus. Europe continues to be hit the hardest when death tolls are being reviewed.

Premier League and EFL talks

More from News

"Senior representatives from the PFA, Premier League, EFL and LMA met today and shared a constructive meeting regarding the challenges facing the game as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The meeting reiterated that the overriding priority is the health and well-being of the nation – including that of players, coaches, managers, club staff and supporters – and everyone agreed football must only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.No decisions were taken today with discussions set to continue in the next 48 hours with a focus on several high-profile matters, including player wages and the resumption of the 2019/20 season."

The direction seems clearer now

It appears the one direction that can be taken is to end the league. But the question now is… How? End the Premier League as it stands, or take away everything achieved throughout the timeline of 2019-2020?

The time for a decision to be made is ticking away with each day that passes. It is looking like they will be forced into a resolution very soon. Hopefully, it is still dependent on UEFA  and when they see fit to squeeze everything in.

Wages the next discussion by the EPL and EFL heads

"No decisions yet made on players’ wages or format of season resumption; Talks to continue until end of the week. On Wednesday, Bournemouth announced that manager Eddie Howe has become the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut. (Via: Sky Sports)"

Next. Complete absence of Jota is a curious subplot. dark

Belgian First Division A

Belgium’s Top Flight is the only league that has made a ruling and have awarded Club Brugge the league title. The verdict appears to be fair with there only being a game left to play, and the leaders Brugge were ahead of runners-up Gent by 15 points.

An initiative the other leagues need to look into perhaps.

Home/Premier League