Belgian League Abandoned: Is there a better way to finish the football league season?

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(Edited)

It's been 84 years...

Well, more like 21 days now without the catharsis of mid-week and weekend football. But it feels like forever. Many of us have gone into withdrawal, weekends losing meaning now that we are in forced quarantine in the house.

No more beers with the boys in the local pub/bar and wet fried beef with your favorite condiments.

It has taken some getting used to and it doesn't seem like the situation is going to alleviate any time soon.

The Belgian league is the first to pull the trigger and scuttle the season completely awarding the league title to first place Club Brugge.

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The high-flying club is currently 25 points ahead of second-placed Gent which ironically is the same position Liverpool find themselves in the Premier League.

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The one difference, however, the English Premier League is the most-watched and most lucrative league in the world with gross revenue of over £1 billion.

There is too much money left on the table, around 800 Million, that will likely be lost if the league was abandoned let alone the consequences for clubs in the relegation zone and Champions League race.

The legal consequences would be massive since several clubs would lose plenty of revenue if the league was not completed.

How do Premier League clubs complete the league season?

First, let's put the money issue to one side. It is already clear that any decision that the league executives make will be informed by revenue first.

The various leagues have already concluded in their most recent meeting to restart games as soon as it is reasonably safe.

"The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA are committed to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season as soon as it is safe and possible to do so"

When that will be the case is anyone's guess.

The players would probably need at least two weeks to work on fitness and training before playing any games.

So, if we are looking at the worst-case scenario where the Premier League 2019/2020 season ate into the 2020/2021 season it would only be logical to merge the two seasons into one.

It would be the most selfless thing to do to protect the players and the integrity of the competition.

I would imagine the 9 league games remaining could be played over 9-12 weeks as well as Cup competitions and the prestigious Champions League giving players adequate time to rest and regain fitness with no rush.

Depending on when the league, cup and European competitions conclude clubs would be free to plan breaks and pre-seasons - most likely domestic.

There is obviously the huge question mark on contracts expiring as well as the summer transfer window.

I would imagine those who will be free agents in the summer would probably sign an extension with terms and conditions reflecting the current situation. Probably lower pay and no guarantees of playtime as well as bonuses.

The transfer window is another animal in itself.

You would expect clubs open to selling will allow their players to speak with interested clubs, agree on wages and a transfer fee but they would only move once a decision is made regarding the current season.

That could be if the season is voided, abandoned or completed.

In the scenario that I elucidated that would be after the completion of Champions League or earlier for players who are in clubs that are no longer involved in any competition.

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It is my hope that a solution will be found as soon as possible to avert any further loss of life and new infections due to coronavirus so we can all go back to what will be our new normal.

As always, take care of yourself. Take your vitamins. Wash your hands. Talk to people and check up on their physical and mental health as well as your own.

Most of all, stay optimistic. We will get through this.



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