Premier League clubs are all on the same page and in total agreement that the season needs to be completed with the rest of the season played out rather than having it cancelled or ended prematurely amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Cyrstal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is one of the first to speak up and claims it is important for the current campaign to end without “artificial” methods of determining places. The league has been suspended since March 13 due to COVID-19 with league leaders Liverpool sitting clear at the top with 25 points ahead of its nearest rival Manchester City.
However the current concern is that Premier League action will not return until April 30 at the very earliest due to fears about resuming games too soon in view of the pandemic not showing any signs of slowing down, although all can breathe a sigh of momentary relief as it’s understood that matches are more likely to return in the summer , albeit behind closed doors.
Klopp’s Liverpool need just two more wins to be assured of their first league title in 30 years and Hodgson is adamant the campaign must only finish once all games have been played.
In a message to supporters on Palace’s official website, Hodgson said:
“Everyone is in total agreement we need an end to this season. We don’t want artificial means of deciding who wins the league, who gets into the Champions League, who gets relegated and promoted.
“Ideally our players would have three or four weeks’ minimum to prepare for the first match back, but I accept there may have to be a squeeze on that timeframe.
“It might mean extra restrictions at our place of work – the training ground – for example. It may also mean that we have to play our nine remaining matches in a shorter period of time than we normally would have done, and subsequently receive a shorter break between the seasons.
“But I think with all of these sacrifices – and I am uncomfortable using that word in such a context – everyone will be more than happy to go along with what it takes in order to get playing again as soon as possible in order to get the season finished.”
There were reservations earlier that the season would be declared null and void or that it would end with the positions staying as they are now should no more games be played.
This would then see Liverpool win their first Premier League title, while Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich would be relegated. Chelsea would finish in the top four along with Leicester, with Manchester United, Sheffield United and Tottenham missing out.
So long as all Premier League clubs are in one accord and in full agreement over what needs to happen it is unlikely that the season will not be completed somehow, one way or another.