Entire EFL postponed until April 3rd (at earliest)

[bellwhiff]

I don't get the whole 'lock down too early & the public will get bored' argument. If events are cancelled, then you ain't going, it doesn't matter how bored you get.

I don’t think it’s the bored thing so much. The spread through the community needs to be managed as much as possible. Doing it now would overburden the NHS when it’s stretched already due to winter flu

Personally I’ve been working flat out to get the business for to operate if we send back office workers home. Unfortunately the most visible part of the business involves rescuing people who have broken down.

I heard that schools are closing next Friday too.

I’m supposed to be in Gloucester three weeks today for the Army v RAF rugby. We’ve all decided we are still going on the lash whether the game is on or not.

[Richard Cranium]

Hope we cooked curry for the players

[bellwhiff]

It will be interesting if the season is already finished and the status quo is maintained for next season.

Would it mean that league 1 will complete another season with 23 teams and there was again only one relegation spot from League 2?

Following on from that would county and Barnet keep their parachute payments for another year?

I honestly can't see how how promotions or relegations could take place if the fixtures are abandoned with almost a quarter of the season left to play.

It will be a headache for the various authorities to work out and some teams will be upset whatever happens.

You'd have to feel sorry for Livarpool. 100 points clear at top of Prem needing another couple of wins to win their first title for ny on 30 years and then it's all cancelled. You'd feel sorry 4 em wouldn't you?

Absolutely not.

They’ve become unbearable in the last couple of forevers.

Fixed

[Spiritater]

Will the Conf see it through to the end of t'season? Can't see it myself. At some point they'll have to stop.

3 games already gone due to virus fears
Sorry 6 now

[BigGuy]

I don't get the whole 'lock down too early & the public will get bored' argument. If events are cancelled, then you ain't going, it doesn't matter how bored you get.

I don’t think it’s the bored thing so much. The spread through the community needs to be managed as much as possible. Doing it now would overburden the NHS when it’s stretched already due to winter flu

Personally I’ve been working flat out to get the business for to operate if we send back office workers home. Unfortunately the most visible part of the business involves rescuing people who have broken down.

I heard that schools are closing next Friday too.

I’m supposed to be in Gloucester three weeks today for the Army v RAF rugby. We’ve all decided we are still going on the lash whether the game is on or not.

Thanks for the life story

[lifestags]

Alistair Smith has collapsed with a fever, in isolation for a week.

[cassellswasmagic]

Alistair Smith has collapsed with a fever, in isolation for a week.

Hopefully he’s ok.

[bellwhiff]

I don't get the whole 'lock down too early & the public will get bored' argument. If events are cancelled, then you ain't going, it doesn't matter how bored you get.

I don’t think it’s the bored thing so much. The spread through the community needs to be managed as much as possible. Doing it now would overburden the NHS when it’s stretched already due to winter flu

Personally I’ve been working flat out to get the business for to operate if we send back office workers home. Unfortunately the most visible part of the business involves rescuing people who have broken down.

I heard that schools are closing next Friday too.

I’m supposed to be in Gloucester three weeks today for the Army v RAF rugby. We’ve all decided we are still going on the lash whether the game is on or not.

Thanks for the life story

You’re welcome. I thought you’d be interested seeing as you don’t have one.

[Amberheart]

Well we not be able to sing sweet Caroline for a while.
“Touching hands “ “Reaching out ‘
“Touching me ! “ touching you !!“

[sunray]

Watched Alfreton today. Often go when MTFC are playing too far away.
As usual got a row of seats to ourselves so it was as good as isolation.

[Big yella]

Well we not be able to sing sweet Caroline for a while.
“Touching hands “ “Reaching out ‘
“Touching me ! “ touching you !!“

Thank God for that.

[STAGS FOR LIFE]

Football League chief calls for 'cool heads' over virus chaos
English Football League (EFL) chairman Rick Parry has called for "cool heads" as he wrestles with the dilemma of how to finish the season with the coronavirus wreaking havoc.

The second-tier Championship, League One and League Two last week suspended play until April 3 at the earliest in response to the pandemic.

Clubs are awaiting guidance on how to proceed, with concerns spiralling over the potential financial damage to smaller teams if the season is not able to finish.

There is also the issue of promotion and relegation to resolve if games cannot be completed. A potential cancellation of Euro 2020 would open a window in the summer to wrap up the domestic season.

If that is not possible, there have been reports the current top two in the Championship - Leeds and West Bromwich Albion - would be promoted to the Premier League.

That could trigger bitter legal action if clubs are unhappy they did not get the chance to complete potential promotion-winning campaigns themselves.

All the speculation has led to an alarmist atmosphere around the English game but, with the EFL board set to meet for a further update on Wednesday, former Liverpool chief executive Parry urged teams to stay calm.

"These are indeed challenging times for the league, its clubs and the game as a whole," Parry said. "However, now is the time for cool heads and calm reflection rather than speculation as we look to steer our competitions and clubs through this period of uncertainty."

[BigGuy]

Wow he told you all that!

[STAGS FOR LIFE]

Wow he told you all that!

Off Telegraph update page 2.17pm

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-heal ... oll-cases/

[Sedgwick]

Cant see football being played again.... season will be classed a null/ void and will start again next season.

I imagine there might be some upset with contracts if players have clauses regarding promotion etc

[arsene wengers coat]

Cant see football being played again.... season will be classed a null/ void and will start again next season.

I imagine there might be some upset with contracts if players have clauses regarding promotion etc

Good. I didnt care much for this season anyway...


if we essentially start the season again with no ups and downs, I do hope that teams with points deductions at least carry them over, a la Bolton and Macclesfield.

[Sandy Pate Best Stag]

Cant see football being played again.... season will be classed a null/ void and will start again next season.

I imagine there might be some upset with contracts if players have clauses regarding promotion etc

Good. I didnt care much for this season anyway...


if we essentially start the season again with no ups and downs, I do hope that teams with points deductions at least carry them over, a la Bolton and Macclesfield.

It should be exactly as the start of this season so if points were deducted for misdemeanours from 2018/2019, they should be re-imposed. If they were imposed for wrongdoing in 2019/2020 they should be expunged along with the rest of the results. It wouldn't be fair to impose penalties for games which didn't theoretically take place. That may not sit well with some but I can't see how you could do it differently.

[Spiritater]

Can't believe the NL hasn't pulled the plug yet!

Just announced it's pulled it

[Big yella]

Cant see football being played again.... season will be classed a null/ void and will start again next season.

I imagine there might be some upset with contracts if players have clauses regarding promotion etc

Good. I didnt care much for this season anyway...


if we essentially start the season again with no ups and downs, I do hope that teams with points deductions at least carry them over, a la Bolton and Macclesfield.

These are some of the reasons why the season will be finished. Lawsuits waiting to happen.

Liverpool a title, Sheff Utd first ever european campaign, Leeds/West Brom promotion (£90m+), Barrow return to the league and that's just the start.

[chip63]

How are clubs going to survive.
It's going to be at least to the end of summer and maybe next year.
Nobody is going to buy a season ticket for next season if we are still on lockdown with events.
It's a very uncertain future for everyone.
Good luck to all, wether football or every other business.

[Jimstag]

Cant see football being played again.... season will be classed a null/ void and will start again next season.

I imagine there might be some upset with contracts if players have clauses regarding promotion etc

Good. I didnt care much for this season anyway...


if we essentially start the season again with no ups and downs, I do hope that teams with points deductions at least carry them over, a la Bolton and Macclesfield.

The question for me is how many of those teams will even survive to next season?

Plenty of teams that have been saying that missing on gate receipts is a disaster and a few are already struggling to make ends meet, so will this years promotion and relegation at the bottom of the leagues be decided by who’s left to play next year?

[PEAR CIDER]

How are clubs going to survive.
It's going to be at least to the end of summer and maybe next year.
Nobody is going to buy a season ticket for next season if we are still on lockdown with events.
It's a very uncertain future for everyone.
Good luck to all, wether football or every other business.

Like every other person, the people will just get limited sick pay. The players and staff will unfortunaltey have to suck it up, as the rest of the world will. Not nice times ahead for anyone unfortunlatey.

[Sheffieldstag]

Maybe footballers on their large salaries can take a temporary pay cut as many people working are and will be gaving to?

[Stoney]

Now postponed until end of April.

[Sandy Pate Best Stag]

They should stop pretending they can finish the season and pull the plug now.

A few clubs will suffer but an equal number will gain and the biggest majority will be uneffected.

By insisting on finishing the season they will only impact on next year and bring uncertainty for players who will be out of contract and moving on.

I can't see how it can be a normal scenario when teams are playing two or three games a week risking injury to players and extra cost to supporters who may be on their bootstraps anyway. Results will be effected and the final standings skewed anyway so why not just accept the situation and concentrate on next year?

Besides it would ensure another season in the death pit for the Bedwetters which is definitely a bonus