What would you do about the league season?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I know there are more important matters to consider but this is a football based forum after all.

This is all on the assumption UEFA will delay the European Championships to next year.

Personally I can't see how the season will complete between now and the summer.

Every alternate I am thinking of as below is riddled with flaws in them:

Something like they do in Argentina where they average out the position over the last couple of season or so.

Move the Cups until later in to next season (no way will they just not play them) and complete the last part of this season running alongside the current season whilst having an expanded Premier League.

Also every decision made about the Premier League has an impact on each league further down the line.

It's crap for the clubs that would win the league, be promoted and great for the clubs that would've been relegated but thinking about it all, declaring null and void seems to be the only clean way around it all.

:wacko:


---------

Putting this in Arsenal debate as it will have an impact on us of course too.

[Letters]

I think they’ll have to scrap the cups and Euro 2020 and complete the league fixtures when they can.
Anything else gets you into a world of litigation when it comes to promotions and relegations.
We stitched Spurs up a century ago (Spurs :pal:), and they still bang on about it.
Imagine that but with a group of teams in every division whining that they were denied promotion and the money that brings.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If it's past July 1st you have the issue regarding loan deals or if not that then player contracts. :wacko:

[Letters]

Hmm. Yeah, that’s a whole other mess they’d have to sort out.
I guess they’d have to change the transfer window.
One issue - Spurs fans are getting excited at the prospect of completing the season with Son and Kane now.
Which means they’ll have an advantage they wouldn’t have had were the world not ending.
You could argue that sort of thing evens out - other clubs will also have players returning from injury.
But it disproportionately gives an advantage to clubs with more injuries.
Not sure there is much you can do about that.

If the season does complete then the end result won’t be exactly what it would have been but it’s probably the least bad option.


A friend (jokingly) said the rest of the season should be decided by Pools Panel :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Null and void. Obviously it's daylight robbery for Liverpool but going forward with the calendar totally out of sync, I'm not sure how you could reset it?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That's the thing, logistically it is a nightmare.

When you consider there is supposed to be a winter World Cup in 2022 it seems impossible to juggle the seasons around.

[Mac76]

I suspect the whole Liverpool victim bandwagon will skew any decision - if it was us, the PL would be falling over themselves to null the season, but you can bet they won't want to scrap the 'fairytale' title win for the Heysel murderers

[GP]

Null and void.

I'm not sure it would be fair, but it would be hilarious.

[Letters]

I suspect the whole Liverpool victim bandwagon will skew any decision - if it was us, the PL would be falling over themselves to null the season
:blink:

You literally just accused Liverpool of having a victim mentality and then immediately claimed that we are the victims of some anti-Arsenal sentiment.

[Marc Overmars]

In the event of a null and void season, I’m guessing all the goals scored would be wiped out? ie Auba would have to hit 50 goals for us again? Aguero would no longer be the highest scoring foreign player etc?

[Letters]

In the event of a null and void season, I’m guessing all the goals scored would be wiped out? ie Auba would have to hit 50 goals for us again? Aguero would no longer be the highest scoring foreign player etc?

That doesn’t make any sense.
In terms of all the records the results and goals would surely still stand.
The games still happened.
It’s just when it comes to handing out trophies and relegation and promotions although I can see litigation about that rumbling on for years

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yeah it would be the consequences of the league table that would be voided.

All results gone before are official, it's just not enough to complete the season.

[Niall_Quinn]

You can't just make everything void. As pointed out, you'd have to change the real career records of every player to imaginary ones. Abandonment is the only way they can go if they can't get things started again. Declare every remaining game a draw (which would be accurate for us), and then ditch relegation and promotion for this season. Or get the old pools panel in, remember them? We could have a strictly impartial group like Jermaine Penis, Danny Murphy and Tony Gale.

If you made everything a draw then Liverpool win the title based on merit.

And ban Qatar's world cup while we're at it, because that was an even shittier idea than coronavirus.

[Mac76]

:blink:

You literally just accused Liverpool of having a victim mentality and then immediately claimed that we are the victims of some anti-Arsenal sentiment.

There's no comparison - liverpool fans caused two big disasters, resulting in significant loss of life, but want everyone to feel sorry for them. We've done no such thing but still regularly get a bum deal from the powers that be.

[Mac76]

You can't just make everything void. As pointed out, you'd have to change the real career records of every player to imaginary ones. Abandonment is the only way they can go if they can't get things started again. Declare every remaining game a draw (which would be accurate for us), and then ditch relegation and promotion for this season. Or get the old pools panel in, remember them? We could have a strictly impartial group like Jermaine Penis, Danny Murphy and Tony Gale.

If you made everything a draw then Liverpool win the title based on merit.

And ban Qatar's world cup while we're at it, because that was an even shittier idea than coronavirus.

:gp:

especially the last bit

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The legal proceedings that clubs would chase would not be straightforward for them not least of all for the reason NQ mentioned in the other thread. What has led to whatever resolution is used is contractually a 'force majeur' and so exceptional circumstances mean they cannot be deemed to have been categorically contractually wronged.

[Letters]

There's no comparison - liverpool fans caused two big disasters

Well. One of those they didn’t cause.


We've done no such thing but still regularly get a bum deal from the powers that be.

Do we, though?
Bearing in mind that fans of literally ever club feel that they are uniquely hard done by by referees/the media/the FA and that other clubs are always favoured.

We can’t all be right, can we?

[Niall_Quinn]

The legal proceedings that clubs would chase would not be straightforward for them not least of all for the reason NQ mentioned in the other thread. What has led to whatever resolution is used is contractually a 'force majeur' and so exceptional circumstances mean they cannot be deemed to have been categorically contractually wronged.

And you'd hope, considering the unprecedented scale and potential cost in human lives, they might for once forget about cash and just accept this is bigger than rules and regulations and contracts. Literally outside the control of anyone to do anything about it.

You'd hope they might behave that way.

Same as you'd hope for world peace and justice for all. In vain.

[Mac76]

Well. One of those they didn’t cause

Really, which one?

[Letters]

Really, which one?

I think you know which one.
But given that


in April 2016, the jury at the new inquests determined that the 96 people were unlawfully killed by the gross negligence manslaughter of the South Yorkshire police officer in command, Ch Supt David Duckenfield, to a criminal standard of proof.

(Source https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/28/how-david-duckenfield-trial-left-hillsborough-families-distraught-again)

I’m going to say that one.
The dude admittedly was not convicted, but still.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think you know which one.
But given that



(Source https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/28/how-david-duckenfield-trial-left-hillsborough-families-distraught-again)

I’m going to say that one.
The dude admittedly was not convicted, but still.

It's one of those growing number of issues where you can't look at all the facts because it offends people. Instead it's blanketed in the politics and the narrative gets written on that basis. Anyone sensible has a fair idea that cause and the consequences were not down to one individual. Common sense will give you that much. But that's the conclusion that makes most people most comfortable so the acceptable facts are retained, the unacceptable ones become unmentionable and history is manufactured accordingly.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

For the first time in 30 years, Liverpool are the champions of England. We knew that already and it looks now as though the coronavirus has confirmed it before mathematics could.

The idea that the season should be void is little more than a malign fantasy peddled by those trying to weaponise a pandemic to stop a rival team and its supporters claiming what is rightfully theirs.

Oliver Holt. :wacko:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8112685/OLIVER-HOLT-void-season-absurd-idea-peddled-weaponise-pandemic.html

Seriously, weaponise a pandemic. It's a pandemic, how much more serious do you need it do be?

[Letters]

It's one of those growing number of issues where you can't look at all the facts because it offends people.
I would rather hope the inquest did that


Anyone sensible has a fair idea that cause and the consequences were not down to one individual.

It’s a bit harsh to pin it entirely on him, agreed.
I don’t for one minute believe that the Liverpool fans were all politely queuing.
Football fans, particularly in groups, are idiots. I don’t for one minute Liverpool have a monopoly on that.
Anyone sensible knows that opening a gate which allows thousands of them to push into an already crowded stand in an era when fences mean the fans at the front have nowhere to go is probably a bad idea.

My dad tells stories of being in crushes back in the day where he could pretty much take his feet off the ground and not fall over such was the crush from either side. Quite honestly it’s amazing that these incidents didn’t happen far more regularly.

[Mac76]

It's one of those growing number of issues where you can't look at all the facts because it offends people. Instead it's blanketed in the politics and the narrative gets written on that basis. Anyone sensible has a fair idea that cause and the consequences were not down to one individual. Common sense will give you that much. But that's the conclusion that makes most people most comfortable so the acceptable facts are retained, the unacceptable ones become unmentionable and history is manufactured accordingly.

Yes, well put.

I admit i was exaggerating and Hillsborough wasn't in the same league as Heysel of course, a lot of different people got a lot wrong on the day, but the portrayal of it is definitely missing some important nuance...

[Niall_Quinn]

Oliver Holt. :wacko:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8112685/OLIVER-HOLT-void-season-absurd-idea-peddled-weaponise-pandemic.html

Seriously, weaponise a pandemic. It's a pandemic, how much more serious do you need it do be?

Oliver Holt is, was and always will be sub-human slime.

[Niall_Quinn]

I would rather hope the inquest did that



It’s a bit harsh to pin it entirely on him, agreed.
I don’t for one minute believe that the Liverpool fans were all politely queuing.
Football fans, particularly in groups, are idiots. I don’t for one minute Liverpool have a monopoly on that.
Anyone sensible knows that opening a gate which allows thousands of them to push into an already crowded stand in an era when fences mean the fans at the front have nowhere to go is probably a bad idea.

My dad tells stories of being in crushes back in the day where he could pretty much take his feet off the ground and not fall over such was the crush from either side. Quite honestly it’s amazing that these incidents didn’t happen far more regularly.

Regardless of the mass conditioning that has apologised for the behaviour of certain (and by no means all or even many) fans on that day, at least a good number of those responsible know what they did. Chances are they wouldn't do it again. They have to live with it, silently, even though everything has been manipulated to ensure they don't have to be accountable for their actions. The dangerous ones are those who have used the cover-up to literally convince themselves they did nothing wrong. They will learn no lessons and could even do it again.

[I am invisible]

Latest rumour I heard was that they would call the season as it stands, with Liverpool champs, Leeds and West Brom promoted, but no one relegated - 22 teams next year with 5 up for relegation, then back to 20 the season after.

[Niall_Quinn]

Latest rumour I heard was that they would call the season as it stands, with Liverpool champs, Leeds and West Brom promoted, but no one relegated - 22 teams next year with 5 up for relegation, then back to 20 the season after.

Which means they'd make more cash from more games next year? They always find a way, don't they?

#profitFromCoronaVirus

[I am invisible]

Which means they'd make more cash from more games next year? They always find a way, don't they?

#profitFromCoronaVirus
Just be grateful there was no mention of the championship playoffs.

[Niall_Quinn]

I still think my Pools Panel idea was the best. Apart from the fact we'd be relegated.

[Marc Overmars]

I wonder if Sky and BT would credit their customers back seeing as they can’t show their main product and reason for their subscriptions?

[Niall_Quinn]

I wonder if Sky and BT would credit their customers back seeing as they can’t show their main product and reason for their subscriptions?

That's when Act of God will triumph above all else. Customers will be last. Bank on it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I still think my Pools Panel idea was the best. Apart from the fact we'd be relegated.

If they took in to account our ability to drag all the opposition down to our level we might do well from it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I wonder if Sky and BT would credit their customers back seeing as they can’t show their main product and reason for their subscriptions?

They're more likely to raise their prices seeking recoveries from the Premier League and UEFA, in the case of BT.

[Niall_Quinn]

They're more likely to raise their prices seeking recoveries from the Premier League and UEFA, in the case of BT.

And that's not even a joke.

[I am invisible]

I wonder if Sky and BT would credit their customers back seeing as they can’t show their main product and reason for their subscriptions?
Surely that’s the keen footballing insights and rapier wit that you get from their presenters and ex pros? I know that’s why I tune in.

[Niall_Quinn]

I don't think we'll care much about Sky by the end of this. A silver lining.

[Letters]

I still think my Pools Panel idea was the best. Apart from the fact we'd be relegated.

Can’t we go with Lawro’s predictions?
Obviously he’d have Liverpool winning every game but for once that’s fairly accurate

[Niall_Quinn]

Can’t we go with Lawro’s predictions?
Obviously he’d have Liverpool winning every game but for once that’s fairly accurate

We still get relegated.

[Mac76]

Latest rumour I heard was that they would call the season as it stands, with Liverpool champs, Leeds and West Brom promoted, but no one relegated - 22 teams next year with 5 up for relegation, then back to 20 the season after.

This proves it - coronavirus is all a spuds plot to avoid St Totteringham's day...

[Thierrymon]

I would scrap the season and the current standings and start again based on last years results. This isnt going to be ending soon enough that they can resume the season imo.

[I am invisible]

This proves it - coronavirus is all a spuds plot to avoid St Totteringham's day...
Might be too much Liverpool support at the top to award the league based on alphabetical order, but they should at least relegate teams based on alphabetical order - that seems fair, right?

[Niall_Quinn]

Might be too much Liverpool support at the top to award the league based on alphabetical order, but they should at least relegate teams based on alphabetical order - that seems fair, right?

Fairest suggestions I've heard so far. Nobody could claim it was rigged in any way because some of these teams were named over a century ago.

[I am invisible]

Fairest suggestions I've heard so far. Nobody could claim it was rigged in any way because some of these teams were named over a century ago.

It's a plan with absolutely no drawbacks - everyone wins.

[Letters]

Works for me.
And Bournemouth, you can stop all that "AFC" nonsense :sulk:

[Niall_Quinn]

It's a plan with absolutely no drawbacks - everyone wins.

Which probably means it's the one plan that won't even be considered. Common sense and fairness just isn't in these peoples vocabulary.

Oh well. They can rob us of the title, but as far as I'm concerned the lads have done magnificently to go unbeaten this year and end up winning it fair and square.

[Niall_Quinn]

This is good. This works. A few drinks and I'll have convinced myself.

[GP]

Works for me.
And Bournemouth, you can stop all that "AFC" nonsense :sulk:

AFC Arsenal FC :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

And just buy Aldershot for a tenner to be on the safe side.

Sorry, wrong thread. Thought this was the Absolute Shitholes For Sale thread :getcoat:

[Mac76]

There's talk of this going on for a year so how about we just pause and pick up the PL where it left off in twelve month's time...

Transfers would have to be suspended and they would have to re-injure Son and K**t at the appropriate time to keep things the same but that's not a problem :satan:

[Marc Overmars]

The Euro’s have been postponed till next year. FFS.

[Letters]

And Laura Ashley have gone bust
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51927691

Which is admittedly a bit less relevant to the topic, but still.

[Mac76]

The Euro’s have been postponed till next year. FFS.

They should just scrap it altogether, was a stupid idea to have it all across europe in the first place

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The Euro’s have been postponed till next year. FFS.

MO's plans. :rose:

[Globalgunner]

What it shows is that what is called an economy is only just a cash merry go round. People going broke without actually spending any money. Universal basic income is the only solution if we can find a way to stop populating ourselves to extinction. Everybody gets a minimum basic income...as long as you have a job.

[Niall_Quinn]

And Laura Ashley have gone bust
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51927691

Which is admittedly a bit less relevant to the topic, but still.

Fuck. We have one in our town. The last holdout against the ruthless march of the charity shops. That's it then, another town ravaged by the British Heart Foundation.

[Niall_Quinn]

What it shows is that what is called an economy is only just a cash merry go round. People going broke without actually spending any money. Universal basic income is the only solution if we can find a way to stop populating ourselves to extinction. Everybody gets a minimum basic income...as long as you have a job.

That would encourage the most useless to thrive and the most useful to give up. UBI is the worst idea yet from the globalist crackpots who have ruined the global economy with the casino banks.

Restructuring banking is what we need. Actually, understanding how banking works would be a good place to start. If people understood that then they would be furious enough to do something about it.

Our economy is amazing. Just think of the grand scale of production and innovation. But there's a vampire squid perched on top of it all - that's the problem. Not the economy, not capitalism, not money, it's the banksters and the ignorance of the majority who actually defend these leeches when anyone tries to explain why they should be burnt off.

[Letters]

That's it then, another town ravaged by the British Heart Foundation.

Who can sod right off.
When I was clearing out dad's place after he had to go into a home I offered them a load of furniture. They took one thing, everything else they declared not good enough even if it had the slightest fault. You're getting it for free, you dicks! :fury:



I fear we may be getting a little off topic.

[Niall_Quinn]

Who can sod right off.
When I was clearing out dad's place after he had to go into a home I offered them a load of furniture. They took one thing, everything else they declared not good enough even if it had the slightest fault. You're getting it for free, you dicks! :fury:



I fear we may be getting a little off topic.

Their gaff was closer than the tip?

[Niall_Quinn]

I fear we may be getting a little off topic.

Reported.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

European Leagues commit to finish the season by June 30.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11959233/european-leagues-commit-to-june-30-finishes-according-to-uefa-statement

One question, how?

[Niall_Quinn]

European Leagues commit to finish the season by June 30.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11959233/european-leagues-commit-to-june-30-finishes-according-to-uefa-statement

One question, how?

What's that got to do with the British Heart Foundation?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They both have hea..

Ah.

[Marc Overmars]

They’ll get it done behind closed doors by the looks of it.

[Letters]

They’ll get it done behind closed doors by the looks of it.

Liverpool winning the title to the sound of their own footsteps :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Liverpool winning the title to the sound of their own footsteps :lol:

I thought we'd agreed this was being done by alphabetical order? Liverpool are mid-table, they aren't winning anything.

[Letters]

Ah yes.
My bad

White Hart Lane Utd :pal:

[Mac76]

Knowing the footballing powers that be, they'll decide to do it in reverse alphabetical order - Championship here we come... :tumbleweed:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They’ll get it done behind closed doors by the looks of it.

Until the club staff get it, again.

Also, what does Roy Hodgson do given he is 72? :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Knowing the footballing powers that be, they'll decide to do it in reverse alphabetical order - Championship here we come... :tumbleweed:

Well we are known as ZZZZZZZrsenal these days so we should remain top. :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Well we are known as ZZZZZZZrsenal these days so we should remain top. :bow:

ZZZZZ ZZZZZ Top!

:rimshot:

[Letters]

Went to see ZZ Top once.
Sort of by accident, colleague had a spare ticket.
Loudest. Thing. Ever!

[Globalgunner]

Went to see ZZ Top once.
Sort of by accident, colleague had a spare ticket.
Loudest. Thing. Ever!

ZZ top always had space for a sharp dressed toff like you

[I am invisible]

European Leagues commit to finish the season by June 30.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11959233/european-leagues-commit-to-june-30-finishes-according-to-uefa-statement

One question, how?
Playstation?

Mesut Özil might actually become a £300k/wk player if we let him loose on a games console?

[Chippy]

My dad tells stories of being in crushes back in the day where he could pretty much take his feet off the ground and not fall over such was the crush from either side. Quite honestly it’s amazing that these incidents didn’t happen far more regularly.[/QUOTE]

I know what your Dad means.

I was at Ipswich v Arsenal in the early 80's and the middle pen (of three) was left empty in order to separate the two sets of fans. By around 2.30, the Arsenal bit was packed and people started to argue with each other because of the crushing.
Eventually, the Police opened the middle section and created a line next to the railings between us and the Ipswich supporters.

Someone used a bit of common sense that day. To be fair, Hillsborough was an accident waiting to happen for many years :(

[Letters]

Someone used a bit of common sense that day. To be fair, Hillsborough was an accident waiting to happen for many years :(

Yes. That was my point earlier in the thread.
I don't believe for one minute the Liverpool fans were all politely queuing and the tragedy just happened.
They were, I'm sure, being idiots. And I'm sure chancers without tickets had turned up.
So were that partly responsible for what happened? Yes, I'd say they were.
BUT...those sorts of things were happening up and down the country every weekend. Groups of fans were behaving like bloody idiots all the time
The police's job was to manage that. And on this occasion they didn't, and a load of people died.
As you say, it was always going to happen. Just like Bradford's wooden stand was probably always going to cause a fire one day.
Was the fans' behaviour a factor? I think it probably was. But I don't believe there was anything uniquely bad about their behaviour on that day.

[Chippy]

Yes. That was my point earlier in the thread.
I don't believe for one minute the Liverpool fans were all politely queuing and the tragedy just happened.
They were, I'm sure, being idiots. And I'm sure chancers without tickets had turned up.
So were that partly responsible for what happened? Yes, I'd say they were.
BUT...those sorts of things were happening up and down the country every weekend. Groups of fans were behaving like bloody idiots all the time
The police's job was to manage that. And on this occasion they didn't, and a load of people died.
As you say, it was always going to happen. Just like Bradford's wooden stand was probably always going to cause a fire one day.
Was the fans' behaviour a factor? I think it probably was. But I don't believe there was anything uniquely bad about their behaviour on that day.

:gp:
I was going to football most weekends during that period and it really did make me think twice about going.

I guess that a tragedy like Hillsborough, Heysel and of course Bradford was all too close to home.

People should not die at a football match, end of.
No one factor was to blame at Hillsborough, that is why no major prosecutions were handed out. It was a terrible collection of unfortunate events :(

[Marc Overmars]

Football suspended until April 30th now.

Looks like they’re going to try and complete the season with the Euro’s out of the picture.

[Letters]

Arsenal undefeated in March and April :bow:

[Mac76]

Football suspended until April 30th now.

Looks like they’re going to try and complete the season with the Euro’s out of the picture.

They should definitely suspend K**t and Sonofabitch when it restarts for the period of time they'd have needed to recover if we'd just carried on.

Otherwise it's just not fair... :sulk:

[Mac76]

Not sure how many of you are / aren't members but this message has been sent from the club:



First and foremost, everyone at Arsenal Football Club hopes that you and your families are keeping safe and well.  This is a worrying time, and while we all miss the excitement of the game we love, our priority at the moment has to be health and wellbeing as we face one of the most significant global public health emergencies in recent times.

Do stay safe and follow official advice to protect yourself and those around you.

You will have seen today’s announcement that the 2019/20 season will be extended indefinitely, and that the professional game is further postponed in England until at least 30 April 2020. We are fully supportive of this decision which was endorsed at this morning’s Premier League Shareholder Meeting.

Of course, we all want to be back playing football as soon as we possibly can, but only when it is safe to be doing so.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS OUR CLUB?
You can imagine that as this fast-moving situation has developed, we have been taking extensive steps to ensure we keep operating efficiently while protecting our players and staff.

Our training centres in London Colney and Hale End were closed for deep cleaning after Mikel’s diagnosis with the virus but have now re-opened with a small workforce to maintain the facilities and training pitches. 

A number of staff, including Mikel and the men’s first team squad, are currently isolating at home.  We’re pleased to say that Mikel is feeling much better. He’s in good spirits, doing detailed planning with the coaches and speaking to the players regularly. The women’s and Academy teams are also currently staying at home. All our players are looking forward to getting back out on the training pitches as soon as the situation allows.

The players have been given specific training and dietary regimes to follow at home and are in daily contact with our coaches and support staff. As you will have seen from social media some of them are certainly embracing this changed new world.

Our Highbury House office is now closed, and all our staff from that building, as well as other staff who can work remotely, are operating from home. Thanks to the detailed contingency plans we had in place, we are able to operate effectively in this way.

You will not be surprised to hear that our retail stores and Emirates Stadium Tours are closed with all meetings and events at Emirates Stadium postponed until further notice. The Hub, home of Arsenal in the Community at Emirates Stadium, has also closed until further notice.

We continue to support our local Islington community in these difficult times and we are in discussions with local groups to find new ways to support our most vulnerable groups as the situation develops. We are liaising with the local authority and the areas being explored range from providing online coaching and teaching, and staff volunteering to have regular phone contact with elderly local people feeling isolated. We are also looking into how we can support our casual workers.

FOOTBALL CALENDAR AND TICKETING
We will update as soon as we know what’s happening with the fixture schedule.

Understandably, we have received many questions from fans regarding ticketing for forthcoming matches.

Please be assured that all match tickets and purchased hospitality will be valid for rearranged fixtures once they are confirmed.

Information about renewals for next season will be updated as soon as there is more clarity on when the current 2019/20 season will end.

All updates will appear on Arsenal.com and across our social media.

We will get back to you as soon as possible. We are here to listen and help as best we can.

YOUR WELLBEING
Finally, and most importantly, keep well and follow the guidance of the World Health Organisation on the prevention of the spread of the virus.

We look forward to being back on the pitch soon as it is possible.  We wish you and your loved ones good health.

Take care everyone.

The directors, players and staff at Arsenal Football Club

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gary Neville and Carragher are on a debate on Sky Sports News.

Neville loves the word 'essentially'.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not sure how many of you are / aren't members but this message has been sent from the club:



First and foremost, everyone at Arsenal Football Club hopes that you and your families are keeping safe and well.  This is a worrying time, and while we all miss the excitement of the game we love, our priority at the moment has to be health and wellbeing as we face one of the most significant global public health emergencies in recent times.

Do stay safe and follow official advice to protect yourself and those around you.

You will have seen today’s announcement that the 2019/20 season will be extended indefinitely, and that the professional game is further postponed in England until at least 30 April 2020. We are fully supportive of this decision which was endorsed at this morning’s Premier League Shareholder Meeting.

Of course, we all want to be back playing football as soon as we possibly can, but only when it is safe to be doing so.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS OUR CLUB?
You can imagine that as this fast-moving situation has developed, we have been taking extensive steps to ensure we keep operating efficiently while protecting our players and staff.

Our training centres in London Colney and Hale End were closed for deep cleaning after Mikel’s diagnosis with the virus but have now re-opened with a small workforce to maintain the facilities and training pitches. 

A number of staff, including Mikel and the men’s first team squad, are currently isolating at home.  We’re pleased to say that Mikel is feeling much better. He’s in good spirits, doing detailed planning with the coaches and speaking to the players regularly. The women’s and Academy teams are also currently staying at home. All our players are looking forward to getting back out on the training pitches as soon as the situation allows.

The players have been given specific training and dietary regimes to follow at home and are in daily contact with our coaches and support staff. As you will have seen from social media some of them are certainly embracing this changed new world.

Our Highbury House office is now closed, and all our staff from that building, as well as other staff who can work remotely, are operating from home. Thanks to the detailed contingency plans we had in place, we are able to operate effectively in this way.

You will not be surprised to hear that our retail stores and Emirates Stadium Tours are closed with all meetings and events at Emirates Stadium postponed until further notice. The Hub, home of Arsenal in the Community at Emirates Stadium, has also closed until further notice.

We continue to support our local Islington community in these difficult times and we are in discussions with local groups to find new ways to support our most vulnerable groups as the situation develops. We are liaising with the local authority and the areas being explored range from providing online coaching and teaching, and staff volunteering to have regular phone contact with elderly local people feeling isolated. We are also looking into how we can support our casual workers.

FOOTBALL CALENDAR AND TICKETING
We will update as soon as we know what’s happening with the fixture schedule.

Understandably, we have received many questions from fans regarding ticketing for forthcoming matches.

Please be assured that all match tickets and purchased hospitality will be valid for rearranged fixtures once they are confirmed.

Information about renewals for next season will be updated as soon as there is more clarity on when the current 2019/20 season will end.

All updates will appear on Arsenal.com and across our social media.

We will get back to you as soon as possible. We are here to listen and help as best we can.

YOUR WELLBEING
Finally, and most importantly, keep well and follow the guidance of the World Health Organisation on the prevention of the spread of the virus.

We look forward to being back on the pitch soon as it is possible.  We wish you and your loved ones good health.

Take care everyone.

The directors, players and staff at Arsenal Football Club

Arsenal. :bow:

That was almost human.

[Niall_Quinn]

Football, as we know it, is done. It had become all about the money and the growth of revenues, growth of fees and player wages, growth of share values. A global mini-economy in its own right. Well that's gone now. If what medical professionals are predicting is true, we won't be seeing mass gatherings of people for months to come, maybe years. I guess they can try to carry on behind closed doors, with canned applause and recorded (now thankfully polite and politically correct) fan responses. "Arsenal, Arsenal FC, we're at LEAST as good as any team, the world has ever seen! But not worse! Were all the same!"

i sincerely hope the big clubs don't have their hands stuck out for bail-outs either. They've all had years banking it big time. Bail out money needs to go to worthy causes. So how are they going to keep paying Neymar half a million quid a week? Or Ozil 350k? Does this influence Auba's demands for 300k a week, at all? All that cash, every week. The big sponsorship deals from companies that will all now have their own problems. Football agents will all leave and start selling black market ventilators to hospitals at huge mark-ups. How long will people who need to pay food and rent stick with TV subscriptions for games that aren't happening, or are happening behind closed doors?

How are they going to keep this from collapsing totally? It's done. They'll have to restructure the whole thing and think much, much smaller.

[Niall_Quinn]

False alarm! We're saved :bow:

https://newsthump.com/2020/03/19/further-football-postponements-sees-desperate-sky-sports-secure-exclusive-rights-to-asda-cctv/

[Marc Overmars]

Dybala tests positive, while asymptomatic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

So does Paolo Maldini and his son.

Holt and Winter on Sunday Supplement seem to finally accept that there is not going to be a resumption of football for a long time.

[Letters]

The three sweetest words in the English language
Null and void :cool:

[Niall_Quinn]

So does Paolo Maldini and his son.

Holt and Winter on Sunday Supplement seem to finally accept that there is not going to be a resumption of football for a long time.

We don't need them anymore then, do we? Pros have raced ahead of the cons.

[Marc Overmars]

The more this goes on, the more I think it is complete wishful thinking that this season can be completed by the end of June.

[Chippy]

The more this goes on, the more I think it is complete wishful thinking that this season can be completed by the end of June.

I totally agree.

General day to day life MUST return to normal before we can even consider the importance of the football Leagues being completed.

However, just imagine if the season cannot finish and was called it Null and Void, there would be mass suicide in Liverpool :pal:

[Ollie the Optimist]

I think you just have to void the league season.

While its unfair on Liverpool who are so close to the title, if you start giving them the title then what happens to the relegation spaces and European ones? Especially as both villa & Sheffield united have games in hand so those could, if played, be the difference between relegation & European football.

Start next season in august with everyone in the same position as they were for the start of this one (except possibly city who have a European ban)

[Letters]

(except possibly city who have a European ban)
Hmm. Yeah.
So who finished 5th last season? :unsure:

[Marc Overmars]

Us.

Emery. :bow:

[Letters]

Us.

Emery. :bow:
So it was!

The squad Wenger left Emery :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

It was Rioch who signed Bergkamp - not Wenger. And Wenger surfed on that for 2 decades.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52052351

Some leagues have the right idea. :bow:

[Letters]

Expunged :bow:

That would be the best thing ever. :dance:

[Mac76]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52052351

Some leagues have the right idea. :bow:

"Some men's teams, such as Jersey Bulls and Vauxhall Motors, had already secured promotion to step five of the non-league pyramid, but their promotions will now be cancelled.

Jersey Bulls had won all 27 of their matches in the Combined Counties Football League Division One and were 20 points clear at the top."

Jersey Bulls :haha:

[Letters]

Clearly this would be hilarious at the top level but man, can you imagine all the lawsuits?!

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I don't really see how a league that hasn't started yet, and that we have no clue when it will, takes precedence over one that has, and that has real results depending on it finishing. The logical thing is to end the season when you can end the season, whether that be in June, August or November. If that means curtailing the next season, foregoing the cups for a year, or further rescheduling around the winter World Cup then so be it.

That, or you just ship everyone out to the Nike cage on an abandoned oil tanker. :bow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43ItX_bPR1o

[LDG]

Season? What season.

Can’t wait for the new season.

[Letters]

Null :bow:
Void :bow:

[GP]

It's the only way forward.

[Mac76]

Given I'm top of the GW fantasy league i think they should stop the season right now and current positions should be the final ones :trophy: :cool:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I don't really see how a league that hasn't started yet, and that we have no clue when it will, takes precedence over one that has, and that has real results depending on it finishing. The logical thing is to end the season when you can end the season, whether that be in June, August or November. If that means curtailing the next season, foregoing the cups for a year, or further rescheduling around the winter World Cup then so be it.

That, or you just ship everyone out to the Nike cage on an abandoned oil tanker. :bow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43ItX_bPR1o

It's logical maybe but is it plausible?

When you consider now there is going to have to be a pre-season essentially for the remaining season restarting due to the time off from playing and also the spectre of player contracts running out by the beginning of July.

What happens with loan deals? :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

It's logical maybe but is it plausible?

When you consider now there is going to have to be a pre-season essentially for the remaining season restarting due to the time off from playing and also the spectre of player contracts running out by the beginning of July.

What happens with loan deals? :lol:

Just end the season as it stands. No cups because they weren't completed. Hand out the titles, teams at the bottom get relegated (after all, they were shit through almost 30 games). The pandemic is something nobody could control, everyone has paid some sort of price, some the ultimate price. The dead are dead, they can't call it void and live again. People have lost their jobs and won't be getting them back. They don't get a re-run. Companies have gone bust. Pensions have collapsed. Our civil liberties have been suspended. They MIGHT come back, maybe. So tough luck Bournemouth, Villa and Norwich, shit happens - sometimes massive, uncontrollable shit that sprays over everything. At least they get to live with it, rather than die from it. Won't they get a ton of cash because they failed? Top scorers get the golden boot. Statistics are entered into the record books with a little asterisk beside them to designate a shortened season.

Just call it and end it. Liverpool won it easily, the only reason that's disputed is for the comedic purpose of watching Scousers moan more than usual. The bottom three are no loss and won't even make a loss. The FA Cup isn't worth shit to begin with. And it's funny that the greedy UEFA has missed out on the profits from its blatant exploitation of the game.

There's no way this thing starts again. There's no way it would even be legitimate if it did, with half the players possibly suffering from Coronavirus. What's happened so far did so fair and square so call it. I don't even get what the complications are. And if the lawyers turn up for even more cash on top of what shitty, third rate teams already get then tell them to piss off. If the government can pas a law telling us we can't leave our houses then they should have no issues with knocking up a quick GTFO message to the three shittiest teams in each league.

Get it done!

[Niall_Quinn]

Given I'm top of the GW fantasy league i think they should stop the season right now and current positions should be the final ones :trophy: :cool:

That too. Get it done.

[Niall_Quinn]

Season? What season.

Can’t wait for the new season.

tbh and joking aside, I really haven't missed it. Tip, tap, tip, tap, that'll be 300k please? What's to miss?

I've missed boring old cissy version F1 a lot more. And I miss having the chance to go out for a morning jog through the town, which I certainly would never do because WTF? But it's a shame I don't have the opportunity now.

[Marc Overmars]

Not missed it in the slightest but that’s probably because we were so dire for the majority of the season.

Null and void. It’s the only safe thing to do and if you have to give Liverpool the title then so be it. They’ll win it with an asterisk and to no fanfare, which given how they would have celebrated, is still funny in itself.

Football can do one, there are more important things in life, which has never been so obvious.

[LDG]

Football can do one.

Not much I am missing truth be told.

The only thing I miss is seeing people tbf. Whether at work, family or mates. I’d be a shit castaway.

[Letters]

The only thing I miss is seeing people tbf. Whether at work, family or mates. I’d be a shit castaway.
A group of us at work have set up a couple of "coffee break" meetings a day on Teams so we can catch up.
And have a had a couple of video chats with friends over the last week.
Stuff like that is really important.
At least we have the technology to do that now.

[Marc Overmars]

Had a Zoom chat with a few of the lads last Friday and got pretty tanked.

Same again tonight.:beer:

[Letters]

Yeah, we used Zoom last night for a churchy group. Worked well.
I think they've relaxed the 40 minute rule while all this is going on which is jolly decent of them, we were certainly able to go on longer than that last night.

[Mac76]

I think they've relaxed the 40 minute rule while all this is going on which is jolly decent of them, we were certainly able to go on longer than that last night.

if they've any business sense they'll do exactly that and when this is over everyone won't be able to cope without it and be signing up in their thousands - is it possible to buy shares in these guys...? (and i see there's no 'money' emoji either...)

[Letters]

and i see there's no 'money' emoji either
Try using words... :p

I've been thinking it would probably be a good idea to buy some shares at some point although now is not the time.
And I don't have much spare money floating around right now.
We had decent savings last year, then we got a car so now we don't. So if this all goes tits up and we lose our house I'm blaming MrsL as that was her idea.
:sulk:

[Chippy]

Just end the season as it stands. No cups because they weren't completed. Hand out the titles, teams at the bottom get relegated (after all, they were shit through almost 30 games). The pandemic is something nobody could control, everyone has paid some sort of price, some the ultimate price. The dead are dead, they can't call it void and live again. People have lost their jobs and won't be getting them back. They don't get a re-run. Companies have gone bust. Pensions have collapsed. Our civil liberties have been suspended. They MIGHT come back, maybe. So tough luck Bournemouth, Villa and Norwich, shit happens - sometimes massive, uncontrollable shit that sprays over everything. At least they get to live with it, rather than die from it. Won't they get a ton of cash because they failed? Top scorers get the golden boot. Statistics are entered into the record books with a little asterisk beside them to designate a shortened season.

Just call it and end it. Liverpool won it easily, the only reason that's disputed is for the comedic purpose of watching Scousers moan more than usual. The bottom three are no loss and won't even make a loss. The FA Cup isn't worth shit to begin with. And it's funny that the greedy UEFA has missed out on the profits from its blatant exploitation of the game.

There's no way this thing starts again. There's no way it would even be legitimate if it did, with half the players possibly suffering from Coronavirus. What's happened so far did so fair and square so call it. I don't even get what the complications are. And if the lawyers turn up for even more cash on top of what shitty, third rate teams already get then tell them to piss off. If the government can pas a law telling us we can't leave our houses then they should have no issues with knocking up a quick GTFO message to the three shittiest teams in each league.

Get it done!

:gp:
Post of the decade in fact! :trophy:

[Letters]

:gp:
Post of the decade in fact! :trophy:
Well. We're only about 3 months in, so...

[Chippy]

Well. We're only about 3 months in, so...

So.....I know the caliber of people on here :getcoat:

[Globalgunner]

Well. We're only about 3 months in, so...

Technically speaking, this is the last year of the last decade.

[Chippy]

Technically speaking, this is the last year of the last decade.

##:cheers:

[GP]

Technically speaking, this is the last year of the last decade.

Technically.

[Letters]

Meh. This lot

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/decade.html

Reckon you could argue it either way. :p

[Chippy]

Meh. This lot

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/decade.html

Reckon you could argue it either way. :p

Bloody hell, we are all so bored already :upset::haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Joint statement:


The Premier League, EFL and PFA met today and discussed the growing seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was stressed that the thoughts of all three organisations continue to be with everyone affected by the virus.

The Premier League, EFL and PFA agreed that difficult decisions will have to be taken in order to mitigate the economic impact of the current suspension of professional football in England and agreed to work together to arrive at shared solutions.

The leagues will not recommence until 30 April at the earliest. They will only do so when it is safe and conditions allow.

Further meetings will take place next week with a view to formulating a joint plan to deal with the difficult circumstances facing the leagues, their clubs, players, staff and fans.

They only care about the economics of it. :faint:

Difficult decisions. :popcorn:

[Niall_Quinn]

Joint statement:



They only care about the economics of it. :faint:

Difficult decisions. :popcorn:

They really don't seem to understand what's going on here, beyond their balance sheets and their cashflow. When this is over, many will not care whether they restart the league or not. This is their chance to change the whole game back to something that was a sport rather than a profit machine. All they will do is focus on finding a way to get their gravy train back on the express line.

Wouldn't surprise me if they take advantage of this situation to dump their shitty Euro league idea on us. Get taxpayer cash to prop-up the rich clubs, stick them all in a Euro league so they can spread viruses more easily, then abandon the little clubs.

For example. NHS staff, the army, emergency services, utility workers, pharmacists, lorry drivers, supermarket staff are all out working to keep the nation moving along.

Where are the PL heroes who kiss the badge? Why haven't they got 22 fit and healthy players together for a match to support a charity, why hasn't Sky TV and the BBC and the rest banded together to televise it for free to cheer people up? Probably hasn't dawned on them. They could choose players who don't have families. They could choose a charity that's directly helping on the ground. They could send a positive message about sport rather than these grubby messages about sticking together to support their disgusting cash mountain.

Fleecing the fans in the good times, abandoning them in the bad. BLITWtbf :bow:

[Mac76]

'Season could be lost'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52079717

Liverpool :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Why are they so desperate to avoid calling it based on results as they stand? They won't be restarting. The insurance costs alone disqualifies that possibility. So why does the season have to be "lost" as opposed to ended prematurely due to unforeseeable and insurmountable circumstances?

[A Gunner]

I honestly reckon this season should be called off. Let the record show why it was called off, it'd be a lesson for everyone to remember.

Does Liverpool deserve to be champions? Yes. But sometimes in life you just don't get what you deserve.

There are a lot more logistic to be discussed anyhow, continuing or not.

[LDG]

How many PL players are being furloughed?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Why are they so desperate to avoid calling it based on results as they stand? They won't be restarting. The insurance costs alone disqualifies that possibility. So why does the season have to be "lost" as opposed to ended prematurely due to unforeseeable and insurmountable circumstances?

It'd have to be because some clubs have games in hand.

Villa aren't going to accept going down to the Championship when they had a game in hand which could get them out of it.

Null and void is so much clearer for everyone. Unfair yes but everybody know where they stand.

Or if they call the league now, perhaps next season the matches that were never completed should be worth 6 points. :ninja:

[Mac76]

Or if they call the league now, perhaps next season the matches that were never completed should be worth 6 points. :ninja:

but again that's not much use to Villa

[Letters]

Why are they so desperate to avoid calling it based on results as they stand? They won't be restarting. The insurance costs alone disqualifies that possibility. So why does the season have to be "lost" as opposed to ended prematurely due to unforeseeable and insurmountable circumstances?

Liverpool can have the title.
But when it comes to CL places and relegation ones, you’re getting into a world of trouble.
It was all pretty close, they’ll be in a world of litigation if they try to just relegate the sides currently in the bottom 3

[Niall_Quinn]

Villa are shit, that's why they would be suffering an "unfair" outcome. Just because they have a game in hand, chances are they'd have lost it anyway given how shit they are (as demonstrated by their league position). The most unfair and unreasonable option would be to call it void. That's literally wiping out the history of thousands of games across the leagues of Europe. Put Villa's lawyers in a sack and throw them in a river. Just do that anyway, whether they complain or not.

[Marc Overmars]

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-champions-league-match-a-biological-bomb-that-infected-bergamo-experts-say-11963905

Unless they’re going to finish the season behind closed doors, this is why resuming the season as it was should be a non-starter.

[Mac76]

I think the answer is to declare the season void but give Liverpool a head start next season, say 12 points, to appease the scouser lobby

That's fairer than just handing them the title when they haven't won it.

And image the fun if/when they start to drop points, their fans will be spontaneously combusting :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-champions-league-match-a-biological-bomb-that-infected-bergamo-experts-say-11963905

Unless they’re going to finish the season behind closed doors, this is why resuming the season as it was should be a non-starter.

I don't think there's any argument about whether it would be behind closed doors if it restarts. No way will crowds be allowed.

[Mac76]

. No way will crowds be allowed.

No need for closed doors at the Emirates then...

[Letters]

I think the answer is to declare the season void but give Liverpool a head start next season, say 12 points, to appease the scouser lobby

That's fairer than just handing them the title when they haven't won it.

And image the fun if/when they start to drop points, their fans will be spontaneously combusting :lol:
How is awarding them points they didn’t earn next season any fairer than declaring them champions (which effectively awards them points they didn’t earn this season).
At least if you do the latter you can do so knowing that they were definitely going to win it anyway.

[Mac76]

How is awarding them points they didn’t earn next season any fairer than declaring them champions (which effectively awards them points they didn’t earn this season).
At least if you do the latter you can do so knowing that they were definitely going to win it anyway.

I agree, but we all know the pro-liverpool crowd will be forcing the PL to do them a favour one way or the other and at least the 'head start' approach wouldn't gaurantee them the title - as we all know Keegan's newcastle were 12 points clear at Christmas back whenever it was...

[Ollie the Optimist]

The Independent reporting today that the Premier league plan to play a World Cup style tournament in June to complete the season.

basically would be neutral venues in the midlands, several games a day with all clubs staying at indivdual hotels on lockdown so that they cant go out except for training or the game. Games to be played behind closed doors.

Stupid idea, why should some clubs lose out on home advantage just because of this? For example, we would stand a better chance of beating Liverpool at home with our fans behind us yet by playing in a neutral ground, Liverpool gain an advantage so there is no home advantage anymore.

Same for other clubs. It could be a big game in the relegation fight and a team playing at home with 40k fans cheering them on can produce a win. This is a nonsense idea imo

[Letters]

What a bloody awful idea.
They're so desperate to get money rolling in.

[Niall_Quinn]

The Independent reporting today that the Premier league plan to play a World Cup style tournament in June to complete the season.

basically would be neutral venues in the midlands, several games a day with all clubs staying at indivdual hotels on lockdown so that they cant go out except for training or the game. Games to be played behind closed doors.

Stupid idea, why should some clubs lose out on home advantage just because of this? For example, we would stand a better chance of beating Liverpool at home with our fans behind us yet by playing in a neutral ground, Liverpool gain an advantage so there is no home advantage anymore.

Same for other clubs. It could be a big game in the relegation fight and a team playing at home with 40k fans cheering them on can produce a win. This is a nonsense idea imo

And for clubs that have players in quarantine? Or players recovering? Or players who refuse? Maybe ask the fans to pull on a shirt and pitch in? These guys care about one thing. Money. I understand that, it's what they are, it's what they do. Which is why they'll throw all their rules away and try any old shit, provided the cash flows. They're terrified Sky and BT (plus all those other global contracts) will demand a refund. So if they can serve up a Frankenstein shitfest offering they'll do it.

I don't think I'll be much interested in football after all this. It's primarily a collection of greedy pigs focused on the next big pay day, hiding under the cover of what used to be a sport. Too many humanitarian issues have been pushed back to the surface, putting corporate sport in its true light. It's a very unpleasant sight and one I don't want much to do with.

[A Gunner]

It's been nearly a month rest, and there are still a couple of weeks to go. By normal logic, they'll need a "pre-season" to get going again, which is another month, which will be mid-May at least.

Just freaking cancel the rest of the season.

[Marc Overmars]

If the ban on gatherings is extended, which is likely, then training won’t even be able to resume till the end of April at the earliest anyway.

[Mac76]

I'm convinced they'd have pretty much decided to null and void the season by now if it wasn't for the liverpool situation - oh and the money they'd lose of course

[Letters]

I don't think there is a Liverpool situation. In the sense that declaring them champions is the easy decision IMO.
It's the CL places and relegation/promotion where you get into real trouble.
Norwich can do one but after that it gets complicated. Villa have a game in hand. Bournemouth are 3rd from bottom on 27 points but the two teams above them are also on 27. You're on very shaky ground deciding the current bottom 3 get relegated.

[Mac76]

I just mean they wouldn't have cared about denying Citeh or Man Ure (who've both won loads of titles relatively recently) a title but the whole Liverpool bandwagon creates a much bigger headache if they deny them the title

but as far as i'm concerned null and void means just that and no results should stand, Liverpool's or anyone elses :sulk:

[Niall_Quinn]

The results so far are already in the record books. Those are the only things that are concrete in any of this. Just make all remaining games a draw and call it. Award the titles, relegate the trash. If Villa have a game in hand then they'll get one more point than the team above them and if that's enough to keep them up then well done them. Otherwise, what's the chances they would have won that game in hand anyway? Judging by the season so far - none. And the team above them would have had to lose too. So I don't see what's so unfair about relegating them. They had 28 games to stay clear of the drop zone and they were shite for 28 games. That's more than a good enough reason to drop them.

I do think it's fair though that the 9th place team qualifies for the CL this year. There are compelling reasons for this that are hard to argue with.

[Letters]

I think the only fair thing to do is award the title based on recent form. Say, last 3 games... :ninja:

https://i.ibb.co/hds3x3n/Last3-Games.jpg

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The results so far are already in the record books. Those are the only things that are concrete in any of this. Just make all remaining games a draw and call it. Award the titles, relegate the trash. If Villa have a game in hand then they'll get one more point than the team above them and if that's enough to keep them up then well done them. Otherwise, what's the chances they would have won that game in hand anyway? Judging by the season so far - none. And the team above them would have had to lose too. So I don't see what's so unfair about relegating them. They had 28 games to stay clear of the drop zone and they were shite for 28 games. That's more than a good enough reason to drop them.

I do think it's fair though that the 9th place team qualifies for the CL this year. There are compelling reasons for this that are hard to argue with.

We'd set an unreachable target for most draws in a season. :bow:

[Globalgunner]

They should get the betting companies, William Hill et-al to run the numbers and come up with a probable league final table and get every club to sign up to whatever comes out of the final analysis. This would be the fairest solution. The betting companies favour no one. Whatever they come up with is based on statistical analysis. The next thing to Gods own will.

[Niall_Quinn]

Should GW start an imaginary league, run by Maccy, where the results are all voted on by members with more than 58,866 posts? It could keep us occupied. I fancy our chances.

[Letters]

Online GW FIFA tournament to play out the remaining fixtures?

[Ralpheroo72]

Emirates being bailed out, what does that mean for the overall sponsorship deal?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Should GW start an imaginary league, run by Maccy, where the results are all voted on by members with more than 58,866 posts? It could keep us occupied. I fancy our chances.

Deciding on the scores could be more challenging.

10-0 win for us home and away seems fair.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Emirates being bailed out, what does that mean for the overall sponsorship deal?

I can't remember if we ever renewed it but I remember the stadium naming rights was for 15 years so should run out next year if we never renewed.

Not sure about as shirt sponsors though.

[Letters]

I can't remember if we ever renewed it but I remember the stadium naming rights was for 15 years so should run out next year if we never renewed.

Not sure about as shirt sponsors though.

Cheeky bid?

The GW Stadium (sponsored by Letters) :cool:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cheeky bid?

The GW Stadium (sponsored by Letters) :cool:

With the Man of your Dreams poster on the face of the North Bank clock.

[Letters]

:lol:

Dream Letters :bow:

[Mac76]

we should be writing right now to Zoom to invite them to sponsor us, they're the new Google/Crapple/Facebook for sure, in terms of a growing business

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Zoom Stadium.

That'd set it up perfectly for some Wenger Voyeur jokes.

[Niall_Quinn]

National Union of Librarians might put a bid in, considering most of their members are our home fans.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They don't have much else to do right now.

[Niall_Quinn]

They don't have much else to do right now.

Shhhhhhhhhhhh! Shush! Quiet please!

[Bumble]

when thing restart just play the season until the end and then adjust next season with the number of games. Could go like the Scottish league and half way through the season only the top half play each other. Top 10 at half way stage cant get relegated. Bottom 10 cant make European spots.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Premier League are kicking the can down the road again.

[Mac76]

when thing restart just play the season until the end and then adjust next season with the number of games. Could go like the Scottish league and half way through the season only the top half play each other. Top 10 at half way stage cant get relegated. Bottom 10 cant make European spots.

Is that really how it works in Scotland? I wondered why there were so many Old Firm derbies

[Letters]

Premier League are kicking the can down the road again.

Just give it up, Liverpool. :pal:

[Ollie the Optimist]

There is a report today that the premier league is having a meeting to discuss future plans.

One plan was to play the season in china. :doh:

[Mac76]

Just give it up, Liverpool. :pal:

Let's face it, Liverpool need to make the sacrifice for the greater good - It would massively raise the spirits of the population if the season was voided :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

There is a report today that the premier league is having a meeting to discuss future plans.

One plan was to play the season in china. :doh:

N_Q was right!

[Letters]

N_Q was right!

Said no-one ever, amirite?

[Letters]

Let's face it, Liverpool need to make the sacrifice for the greater good - It would massively raise the spirits of the population if the season was voided :lol:

Everyone outside of Liverpool (and many in Liverpool of course, for Everton fans) gets a big belly laugh.
Liverpool fans can keep pretending they're the victims.
I see no downside.

:dance:

[Chippy]

Let's face it, Liverpool need to make the sacrifice for the greater good - It would massively raise the spirits of the population if the season was voided :lol:

OMG, how would they feel :haha:

In addition, the old Spuddies have pretty much banked on Champions League cash to help them pay for the new Sh**e Hart Lane.:doh:

Every cloud..........##

[Chippy]

Everyone outside of Liverpool (and many in Liverpool of course, for Everton fans) gets a big belly laugh.
Liverpool fans can keep pretending they're the victims.
I see no downside.

:dance:

Belgium have cancelled their League. Current standings, stand.

Could set a precedence? :(

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Different league.

In the sense that they have play offs when the regular season ends and they are mathematically first.

[Niall_Quinn]

There is a report today that the premier league is having a meeting to discuss future plans.

One plan was to play the season in china. :doh:

Obviously these pigs will do anything for money, so nothing is off the table for them except doing the right thing. They'd never get away with playing games out in virus ravaged China though. But they might take Chinese cash to keep their whole model propped up. Many western corporations have sold out to the Chinese in this way. A common tactics is to suggest a course of action you know everyone will disagree with and then you pull it back to a less severe solution and claim you have compromised. They could be after Chinese cash and the government will have to make sure that can't happen. Australia is already taking measures to ensure the Chinese can't cash in on the chaos they have caused. We need to urgently to the same here.

[Niall_Quinn]

Belgium have cancelled their League. Current standings, stand.

Could set a precedence? :(

Only logical course of action. Every other suggestion has been absurd.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I don't think there's any argument about whether it would be behind closed doors if it restarts. No way will crowds be allowed.

What about audiences?

We don’t have that riff raft ‘crowd’ type at the Emirates.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I don't think there is a Liverpool situation. In the sense that declaring them champions is the easy decision IMO.
It's the CL places and relegation/promotion where you get into real trouble.
Norwich can do one but after that it gets complicated. Villa have a game in hand. Bournemouth are 3rd from bottom on 27 points but the two teams above them are also on 27. You're on very shaky ground deciding the current bottom 3 get relegated.

Divide the points earned by the games played for each Club.

Then multiply by 38.

There’s your final table.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Belgium have cancelled their League. Current standings, stand.

Could set a precedence? :(

Also, and this is a crucial point, they have all played the same amount of games.

The premier league hasn’t so its not fair on villa for example who have a game in hand, to say that current positions are final when they could win their game and escape relegation etc

[Xhaka Can’t]

Obviously these pigs will do anything for money, so nothing is off the table for them except doing the right thing. They'd never get away with playing games out in virus ravaged China though. But they might take Chinese cash to keep their whole model propped up. Many western corporations have sold out to the Chinese in this way. A common tactics is to suggest a course of action you know everyone will disagree with and then you pull it back to a less severe solution and claim you have compromised. They could be after Chinese cash and the government will have to make sure that can't happen. Australia is already taking measures to ensure the Chinese can't cash in on the chaos they have caused. We need to urgently to the same here.

They might be on to something. Let them play it out over in China.

On the condition they stay there.

Then we can start again.

[Niall_Quinn]

Divide the points earned by the games played for each Club.

Then multiply by 38.

There’s your final table.

That works too. But my idea of calling all the remaining games a draw means we'd get a new record for most amount of draws in the history of the world. I don't see why we should be denied that, considering how hard we worked for it.

[Niall_Quinn]

They might be on to something. Let them play it out over in China.

On the condition they stay there.

Then we can start again.

I'd be up for that. Send them on the same boat as all those corporate profiteers who sold out workers at home for slave labour in China. And no bailouts across the board for anyone with ties to China. Let the Chinese bail them out. We'll need a big boat.

[Letters]

Whatever happens, just thank f*** that Liverpool lost a game already.
Otherwise we'd have them claiming that they'd have gone unbeaten all season and beat our 49 game run.

[Niall_Quinn]

Whatever happens, just thank f*** that Liverpool lost a game already.
Otherwise we'd have them claiming that they'd have gone unbeaten all season and beat our 49 game run.

Not the same as actually doing it. Just as winning the title this year will not be the same as actually doing it.

[Marc Overmars]

Whatever happens, let’s just all be thankful we’ve probably been spared the obnoxious fanfare that would have come with their title win. Now no one is going to care too much because of Covid.

[Mac76]

Whatever happens, let’s just all be thankful we’ve probably been spared the obnoxious fanfare that would have come with their title win. Now no one is going to care too much because of Covid.

Yes although it's a shame Citeh let them build such a big lead, it would be impossible to give them the title if it was a lot closer...

[Mac76]

Ok, we have the answer:

"End the season now

The difference with this compared to null and void is that points achieved to this point do count. To even up the balance wherever clubs have played a different number of games, average number of points per game will be used to decide positions.

This would result in a minor shift in positions. Arsenal would nudge ahead of Tottenham for instance, as would Sheffield United, into sixth, above Wolves."

At least that way we get St Totteringham's Day :cheers:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52148768

[Niall_Quinn]

Ok, we have the answer:

"End the season now

The difference with this compared to null and void is that points achieved to this point do count. To even up the balance wherever clubs have played a different number of games, average number of points per game will be used to decide positions.

This would result in a minor shift in positions. Arsenal would nudge ahead of Tottenham for instance, as would Sheffield United, into sixth, above Wolves."

At least that way we get St Totteringham's Day :cheers:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52148768

I vote yes for this. Let's get it done.

[Globalgunner]

Spuds have been crying foul for over 100 years over something similar way back when. Levy would definitely top himself this time

[Niall_Quinn]

Spuds have been crying foul for over 100 years over something similar way back when. Levy would definitely top himself this time

I vote yes for this too. Tell him to get it done.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/09/non-league-football-season-from-tier-three-and-down-declared-null-and-void?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

Possible future polling to vote on the league placings for the non-league teams.

Bring this in for the Premier League and vote Arsenal in to a shock position for the title. We've won league votes before. :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/09/non-league-football-season-from-tier-three-and-down-declared-null-and-void?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

Possible future polling to vote on the league placings for the non-league teams.

Bring this in for the Premier League and vote Arsenal in to a shock position for the title. We've won league votes before. :bow:

Have they considered the possibility of bias in the voting? If not, can somebody give them a call?

Also: "The Football Association has confirmed that the league season in several tiers of the men’s and women’s game is to be declared null and void, despite the pleas of more than 60 clubs."

Why do they keep ignoring the most obvious option? Average out the points over games played and there's your result. Teams that have done well over 2/3rds of the season benefit. Shit teams don't. If the shit teams have a problem with that then the lesson is, don't be shit.

[Letters]

Why do they keep ignoring the most obvious option? Average out the points over games played and there's your result. Teams that have done well over 2/3rds of the season benefit. Shit teams don't. If the shit teams have a problem with that then the lesson is, don't be shit.
Tbh if they aren't able to complete the fixtures, as looks increasingly unlikely, then that feels like the fairest way of doing things.
Enough games have been played to make the result valid.
And it pushes us above Spurs so what's not to like?

[LDG]

Tbh if they aren't able to complete the fixtures, as looks increasingly unlikely, then that feels like the fairest way of doing things.
Enough games have been played to make the result valid.
And it pushes us above Spurs so what's not to like?

38 draws for us then.

Is that relegation form?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52282288

Voted for Null and Void. :bow:

Which is in the lead. :lol:

[Mac76]

It's tempting but maybe actually we should vote for 'Base season on points-per-game average' as we'd have St Totteringham's day then :beer:

[Letters]

It's tempting but maybe actually we should vote for 'Base season on points-per-game average' as we'd have St Totteringham's day then :beer:

:gp: That's my vote and I think it would be the fairest thing to do.
But null and void would be hilarious for lots of reasons. Mostly... Liverpool :pal:

[Mac76]

:gp: That's my vote and I think it would be the fairest thing to do.
But null and void would be hilarious for lots of reasons. Mostly... Liverpool :pal:

It's a tough choice but i've got to admit I just would love it if Liverpool didn't win - i think we'll have a good chance of beating spuds next season but Liverpool not winning when so far ahead is surely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity :)

[Marc Overmars]

Whatever happens, I don’t think there’s any chance Liverpool will be denied the title, either they win it by default or the season is done behind closed doors. As I’ve said all along though, the funny part is actually them winning it to no fanfare.

[Letters]

Whatever happens, I don’t think there’s any chance Liverpool will be denied the title, either they win it by default or the season is done behind closed doors. As I’ve said all along though, the funny part is actually them winning it to no fanfare.

Yeah. And I'm OK with that really, let's be honest, they deserve it.
But yes, it'll all be a bit of a damp squib with all this stuff going on.

[WMUG]

:gp: That's my vote and I think it would be the fairest thing to do.
But null and void would be hilarious for lots of reasons. Mostly... Liverpool :pal:

That and we'd get CL :d

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Honourary Champions. :bow:

How prestigious.

I wonder if Liverpool fans would even want to be handed the title. Someone is going to have suck it up at some point though no matter what happens.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52307147

Clubs to discuss a 30 June deadline. :lol:

I wonder how long it will take for them to accept reality.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52307147

Clubs to discuss a 30 June deadline. :lol:

I wonder how long it will take for them to accept reality.

It's probably a share price and sponsorship thing. If investment starts fleeing the sport the gravy train runs a high risk of leaving the tracks. Sport is likely to be one of the last industries to get out of lockdown. Money might go elsewhere in the meantime.

[Letters]

It is telling that if you look at that all the reasons for the deadline are about contracts running out, sponsorship deals expiring.
All business stuff.
Nothing about the actual sport or the fans.

[Özim]

I'd just finish the season now and let those qualify for Europe as they are now. If we can get any games in I'd leave the top 3 and then have a playoff for 4th between the other for teams (like the playoffs in the Championship with a semi final and final). I think the teams below 7th don't deserve to qualify for the CL based on performance anyway.

Other than that I'd try and finish the CL as well if possible.

[LDG]

Burn it all down

[Niall_Quinn]

Burn it all down

A-greed.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'd just finish the season now and let those qualify for Europe as they are now. If we can get any games in I'd leave the top 3 and then have a playoff for 4th between the other for teams (like the playoffs in the Championship with a semi final and final). I think the teams below 7th don't deserve to qualify for the CL based on performance anyway.

Other than that I'd try and finish the CL as well if possible.

Or why not fuck the losers and say, only the winners of each league compete? Like it was really a champions league?

[Mac76]

Or why not fuck the losers and say, only the winners of each league compete? Like it was really a champions league?

That's far too radical, it'll nevwr work...

[WMUG]

Or why not fuck the losers and say, only the winners of each league compete? Like it was really a champions league?

But how would that make UEFA shit loads of cash?

[Niall_Quinn]

But how would that make UEFA shit loads of cash?

Couldn't they just do what they do with other major tournaments and take huge bribes from the football associations in return for rights to host the final?

[dazthegooner]

So next years final to be held in Wuhan...

[Özim]

Or why not fuck the losers and say, only the winners of each league compete? Like it was really a champions league?

:lol: Now that's just a step too far, Champions only qualifying for the "Champions" league, what kind of idea is that?

[WMUG]

Couldn't they just do what they do with other major tournaments and take huge bribes from the football associations in return for rights to host the final?

Bold of you to assume they're not doing that already.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bold of you to assume they're not doing that already.

Shhhhhhhhh! FFS!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11974992/premier-league-unlikely-to-restart-before-june-8-with-aim-to-complete-season-in-five-week-period

Premier League unlikely to resume before 8th June say Sky.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52326617

BBC say looking to complete it in a window of 40 days.

Imagine breaking that to the players in Sky's version, three weeks of 9 or 10 matches. :lol:

[Letters]

It’s honestly pathetic how desperate they are to finish this thing and so transparent why.

[Niall_Quinn]

Declare season null and void - 39%
End season now and leave table as it is - 12%
Base season on points-per-game average - 8%
Finish season no matter how long it takes - 28%
Hold ‘festival of football’ ASAP to ensure all games played in short time - 12%
Other - 1%

The two most popular options are the least fair and the least realistic, respectively. Says much about football.

[Letters]

Finishing the season is the most fair but the least realistic.
And certainly the “no matter how long it takes” makes zero sense

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'd sign up to it if it ensures Auba has to stay. :ninja:

[Mac76]

The two most popular options are the least fair and the least realistic, respectively. Says much about football.

let's face it a lot of the N&V votes are people wanting to laugh at the scousers :lol:

[dazthegooner]

If it's handed to liverpool we could all sing to the tune by Ronan Keating. "You win it best....When you don't win it at all".

[Mac76]

If it's handed to liverpool we could all sing to the tune by Ronan Keating. "You win it best....When you don't win it at all".

you can imagine all the virus-related memes - they'd be a laughing stock at what was supposed to be a great time - forever onwards people would call it the 'Corona League Win' etc :lol:

[Letters]

Tbh I think whatever happens it’s going to be such a damp squib for them.
Worst. Title win. Ever. :lol:

[Ollie the Optimist]

The Dutch league have just announced they have cancelled the season.

Ajax will not win the title as “they had not won it mathematically so cannot be awarded it”

No promotion or relegation either.

That’s the way to do!

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

There are only two things I can't stand in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures, and the Dutch.

[Letters]

The Dutch league have just announced they have cancelled the season.

Ajax will not win the title as “they had not won it mathematically so cannot be awarded it”

No promotion or relegation either.

That’s the way to do!

I would lol, LMAO and may even have a quick ROFL if that happened in the PL.
Although the points per game solution would mean a hilarious St Totteringham’s Day.

[Niall_Quinn]

The Dutch league have just announced they have cancelled the season.

Ajax will not win the title as “they had not won it mathematically so cannot be awarded it”

No promotion or relegation either.

That’s the way to do!

First one to jump, so likely everyone else will follow.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

All in all: :popcorn:

Sport wise.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

FIFA's chief doctor advises not to restart the season and get ready for the next one.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52462233

Ligue 1 and 2 won't resume.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52460468

All in all: Liverpool. :lol:

Actually, you can bet the Premier League will be the only resuming in the end.

[Mac76]

Actually, you can bet the Premier League will be the only resuming in the end.

yeah once again it'll be "we ain't avin' them forriners tellin' us wot ter doo..."

even if it means many more deaths...

[Niall_Quinn]

yeah once again it'll be "we ain't avin' them forriners tellin' us wot ter doo..."

even if it means many more deaths...

Not 100% sure this is a Brexit issue or racially motivated.

[Mac76]

Not 100% sure this is a Brexit issue or racially motivated.

The Daily Maul and The Scum will fix that

[Mac76]

This article sums up the problems for the PL

I think they won't be able to resume if lockdown continues much longer, it'll be impossible to do it fairly and without groups of fans gathering

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52443200

[McNamara That Ghost...]

"The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019/20 season, maintaining integrity of the competition and welcomed the Government's support."

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11981803/premier-league-restart-depends-on-neutral-venues-clubs-still-committed-to-finishing-season

Yes the integrity. Some clubs have had the benefit of playing a team at home whereas others will have to do so at a neutral venue.

Integrity is what they're concerned about. Definitely integrity.

[Letters]

Integrity. In football?


:haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

"The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019/20 season, maintaining integrity of the competition and welcomed the Government's support."

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11981803/premier-league-restart-depends-on-neutral-venues-clubs-still-committed-to-finishing-season

Yes the integrity. Some clubs have had the benefit of playing a team at home whereas others will have to do so at a neutral venue.

Integrity is what they're concerned about. Definitely integrity.

"Curtailing the season is off the table."

Why is that then? Can they use this newfound integrity to come clean and explain why some options are off the table?

Would it be the "integrity" of their financial dominos that's most important in this careful decision making process?

[Niall_Quinn]

Gary Neville has suggested the idea of taking the Premier League abroad to a coronavirus-free quarantined environment to finish the season, as the UK environment isn't safe enough.

Why is the supermarket I'm about to go to considered safe enough, but not an empty football stadium? I thought being outdoors in wide open spaces was the best place to be in terms of safety? Or maybe this strange virus is particularly virulent in massive open air venues that have a huge field in the middle.

All I ask for when people are lying to my face is consistency. Please be consistent in your stupid lies.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

"Curtailing the season is off the table."

Why is that then? Can they use this newfound integrity to come clean and explain why some options are off the table?

Would it be the "integrity" of their financial dominos that's most important in this careful decision making process?

I think we would all respect them a lot more if they just came out and said "we're doing it for the money".

Coming out with nonsense about integrity when it is a completely different season to what happened before makes them look so stupid.

How it can logistically happen without taking key workers away from where they otherwise might be needed, I don't really get.

Also, how long was the queue at your supermarket? Ours was six people, including me. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

I think we would all respect them a lot more if they just came out and said "we're doing it for the money".

Coming out with nonsense about integrity when it is a completely different season to what happened before makes them look so stupid.

How it can logistically happen without taking key workers away from where they otherwise might be needed, I don't really get.

Also, how long was the queue at your supermarket? Ours was six people, including me. :lol:

About 30 people and 15 minutes I would say. All very well observed. 2 metres distance. Washed down trolleys. Staff in PPE.

And then an absolute fucking free for all once inside with no attention paid to safety. Loads of stuff on the shelves.

Apart from flour of course.

One interesting addition, they now have a one way system set up in the booze section. You follow the arrows and barriers. If you aren't pissed in the first place I guess.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yeah bit of a free-for-all inside, it's like Pac-Man.

Has all gone a bit IKEA too really.

Also, West Ham and Brighton aren't in favour of neutral venues. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Yeah bit of a free-for-all inside, it's like Pac-Man.

Has all gone a bit IKEA too really.

Also, West Ham and Brighton aren't in favour of neutral venues. :lol:

Next they'll be complaining about the advantage Arsenal will have from playing in silent stadiums.

Why can't the teams play at their own stadiums again? The emergency services are there primarily for the fans, aren't they? There won't be any fans. And all teams have doctors and medical facilities, probably facilities better than some hospitals.

So what's the main problem they are so worried about? Have they somehow found a way to make more money off this neutral venue thing?

[Mac76]

All i can say is that if we have to play all our remaining games away from home it's :rose: for us...

[Ollie the Optimist]

Apparently the league is now considering playing shorter games to help fit in so many in such a short space of time.


Of course, playing 90 games under different conditions to the rest of the season, really helps keep the integrity of it :rolleyes:

[Letters]

Let's just have an online Fifa tournament and be done with it.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Let's just have an online Fifa tournament and be done with it.

This all ends up in court doesn’t it?

How can you change the length of matches half way through a season and expect people to think its ok.