pete

Pools panel to sit to decide the PL and EFL, were doomed.

Stevenage are expecting a serious outbreak in the Broadhall Way area of Stevenage with multiple cases among the playing staff of Stevenage FC in May or June or any month you want to pick.

PL really want to move on, that is cancel this season and start again at least plan for Aug 2020 and if possible play games behind closed doors. Restrictions on congregating 500+ will not be lifted in the near future. Do not want to state this because of vested interests making noises but already BT and Sky looking for multi million compo from PL for filing to play games. There are many others waiting in the wings to join the compo bandwagon. I'll wait to see if Teemu starts to look a bit peaky in May time you took yourself to isolation. Not exclusively Teemu anyone can sabotage any resumption by feigning the symptoms or feeling a little dodgy. Clubs at bottom of PL the likely culprits. Cancelling is the only logical option unless PL willing to rewrite football calendar and will need all Euro nations to go the same way. As it is unlikely all to agree to begin 20/21 next Sept, Oct. Nov or Dec the PL may put English football out of step with European football. UEFA has stated must complete by June 30th that is the date by which the PL will need to get of the pot.

PL set to push season to be completed well they would wouldn't they, piloried if they told the truth. See BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51954580

Hopefully we shall get more clarity today. Clarity is the new watchword schools want clarity I would have thought cancelled for the foreseeable future except for certain exempt pupils was pretty clear. Every player of every generation screams the season must be completed even if it takes until the end of the year. Liverpool former players most vocal inter alia Fowler, Aldridge, Thompson and Barnes reiterating this daily on SSN. Cannot see this likely as this will disrupt the timetable for seasons to come and Euro 2021, Olympics and World Cups will need to be played. Also PL will want to schedule next season to commence as normally as possible in Aug however unlikely, but failure to adhere as normal puts the commercial interest of PL customers i.e. foreign broadcasters who show the PL worldwide. PL is more of a commercial venture whereas the football although important to its business may take a backseat and be of secondary importance to any outcome today. However don't expect any resolution today but down the line. But expect this season to be cancelled sometime before the end of May and 20/21 to resume in Aug to comply with the PL's contractual obligations. This may be the result but initial games behind closed doors to commence on time however unpalatable. The season will be held with 20 teams I am sure it is provided in PL rule book 38 game season with 20 clubs to change to 22 clubs may need agreement of current membership. This scenario may be wildly off the mark driven by a desire to see Liverpool miss out on the title however deserved and Leeds staying firmly in their place. But it is logical more logical than seeing the season being extended until an uncertain date later in 2020 or 2021. Is the PL a voracious self interested organisation certainly it is.

FIFA are looking into whether players whose contracts expire on June 30 can be extended. Only with players accepting short term contracts will it be possible. Same with regard to loaned players club loaning must agree and new contract signed. The law of contract and agreements is writ in law and similarly applied in most jurisdictions. Don't know why FIFA believe they can rewrite law.

Null and void with no promotion will be the outcome. Believe me. Norwich get lucky at last by being promoted last season.

Further to my earlier posts that the season is over and the 30th June was an important date, this has now become the date fixed for season to be decided by UEFA. I reiterate the season will not be completed by this date. The virus will still be potent long after May when the season will need to have started to complete by June 30th. Even if the season resumes which will need to be behind closed doors it only takes one person in the league player or coaching staff to be infected to disrupt finishing the season. So there will be no relegation Leeds cannot be promoted the season will be ruled as null and void. Which brings us to the perceived legal challenges which are mooted by everyone with a vested interest namely Leeds, WBA and the 10 clubs or so who might just make the play offs. However are they in any position to take legal challenges we have to question whether there is any contractual relationship with the PL. I presume there is contract or agreement between the PL and EFL but feel it unlikely this extends to the clubs. Whereas there will be contracts between current PL clubs and the PL to cover the relationship needed to run the competition this will include the PL rules stating that the league comprises 38 games. Which means the only teams who might be able to take legal action are current PL clubs. I cannot fail to be gleeful to see Leeds 17th EFL season couldn't happen to a nicer bunch. The PL does have contracts around the globe with broadcasters to show PL. Any legal action by these companies will be of more concern to the PL and they will do all they can to start next season at the soonest opportunity next Aug may be too soon. They may have incurred liability for these contracts due to cancelling the PL prematurely even if it was for one week. So see you next season for PL football. A caveat is there is a miracle and the virus is eradicated by June. Some hope. Also may be some basis for legal action that I am unaware. If so forgive me but pretty sure.

Every commentator is stressing the season must be completed. But it is relatively straight forward to engineer the season will not be played, 38 games must be played according to PL rules. That will be impossible if any club decides to prevent that. Norwich City have around 25 players across the and first team squad if one individual either contracts or claims they have contracted the virus at a time at and the non infected ones self isolate for the 7/14 days on each occasion could extend the virus for an indefinite period. Until all of relevant personnel have had the virus and recovered when the ruse will no longer be valid and cannot be used as a reason for not playing. Not saying City would be so duplicitous but sabotaging any early return to football will be a relatively simple exercise to stymie the PL. That is why the season will not be completed until all playing and coaching and club associated personnel have been infected and recovered until then the seasons end will be unknown. The high jinks only need to start once the PL announce season restart the restart can be setback rapidly. This scenario may come to fruition even without the skullduggery as prescribed above. The 20 teams need to be free from the virus during the entirety of the duration of the remainder of the season to ensure completion which seems an unlikely prospect. In fact until virus completely irradicated the chance of infection will always be a live issue. Maybe no football until there is no more virus every person has been infected and recovered until then there will be uncertainty Not just a football issue..

The outcome of this season will be decided by the money the PL stand to lose in legal disputes. The PL has many contracts with foreign broadcasters and the clubs and many other parties. Each of those contracts will include a force majeur clause. This clause provides a party may breach its contract where it is unable to perform the contract due to circumstances beyond its control act of god for example. The coronavirus certainly falls into this category. The PL provides the season is 38 games for a complete season. Which is postulated ss highly unlikely. But does force majeur apply it is arguable the PL breached its contract unilaterally when it decided to suspend the PL whist the games can be played with or without fans. It is unlikely that the attendance of supporters is an applicable provision as to the completion of games. Therefore behind closed doors matches will allow the PL to perform its contractual obligations. Expect therefore the season to be completed behind closed doors. Will they though. Best to just cancel 19/20 now.

If the PL cannot be resolved by June 30th which seems unlikely unless PL wants to abandon an August start for next season. On this date most player contracts terminate for players out of contract. Another issue is players on loan the loan arrangements will presumably terminate sometime in May. To complete by end June PL needs restart a month before to fit in all the games. On SSN Sunday Supplement the four journo's were adamant the season will be completed I fail to see how that will be possible when virus supposedly at its peak. The start of 20/21 is likely to be delayed further if the virus not over by Aug/Sept. Thursday meeting with PL should clarify hopefully and we can stop hoping..

Shutdown until 4th April is completely unrealistic. The virus is likely to reach its peak May/June apparently if PL cannot be completed by end of May the season will need to be completed as any further delay puts 20/21 in jeopardy. My suggestion that hopefully might avoid legal challenges to the PL. PL to be expanded to 22 as it was in 1994. That will mean top two in Championship get promoted no relegation. And EFL can promote top two in Div 1 and 2 so promotion can still be achieved. Liverpool to win PL as any other result grossly unfair. CL places for top four or five if Man C suspended. EL who cares. I am most keen to see no relegation of course for obvious reasons. This will be for one season only four to be relegated at seasons end and then back to normal. Believe this solution meets all the issues of interested clubs.

Season ticket sales and income is only a drop in the bucket when considering PL revenue. Will be of no significant effect to our finances as 20K already signed up. Lets just cancel this season and keep City in the PL tough cheese on Leeds what a pity.

Grealish will be gone end of season whether Villa stay up or not. What a pity. Have you seen Villa's run in only two games they might get results Newcastle (A) and Palace (H). Couldn't happen to a nicer club hope FFP in Champs gets them for losses incurred.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51808018 Sunday at 4.30 on BBC

If you get this animated re Canaries website. Try considering Sky Sports News and the numskull inserting the comments at the bottom of the tv screen who regularly spells athletes of all sports incorrectly. And whilst badmouthing SSN don't get me started on the bimbo's pronunciation of Irish and UK racecourses.

Al ties 3.00 pm kick off on 21st March according to BBC expect this to change. Surely home members must be given priority for tickets.

3 year purple parch at City followed by abject failure at any other club he has been employed. Should have stayed put until he failed here which was not inevitable at the time. Surely the end of PL as manager/coach.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51657257 Spurs v Norwich live on BBC iPlayer Wednesday v Man C live on BBC1

You would have thought Webber might have noticed our defensive frailty. Needs to take the blame with Farke.

Something to cheer you boys up. Just looked at Villa's remaining fixtures the way they are playing they could win maybe two Newcastle Away and Palace at home. Have to take pleasure where you can get it. Whoever goes down with us will find being in the Championship a culture shock. Hope for a Claret and Blue double act in the relegation stakes. Wouldn't that be fun.

The £100m bonus for being and staying in PL I am sure was the reason the Villa owners invested around £140m to compete in the PL. Hows that working out for you. If you are so concerned with the money Leeds are getting I am sure they will accept any monies Villa wish to gift them. I reiterate the points being made and hope to see Villa in the Championship next season. Did we get any info on Villa's finances for last season on how much they cheated to get promoted, next year AGM will be interesting.

If its to be Championship which looks most likely. Cantwell can be willingly sold as he is more suited to the PL rather than the more physical Championship provided the fee is acceptable. Provided Klose can recover fitness his experience would improve us defensively Godfrey may be on his way but feel he is far from being a PL defender. I can see Emi wanting to leave now Rupp apears in favour which seems ridiculous. Pukki seems to have lost form and has been sussed with finishing lartely and due to his age will only get bargain bids from likes of PL lesser lights. Max will be on his way maybe to Tottenham, Byram can cover with Rupp also covering at RB. So rebuilding will be necessary and some will need to be English qualified. With the fees received recruits will need to be of a quality not recently employed. Lets hope Webber can do the business.

Just a suggestion get a family member or close friend to monitor the social media before you read it if your a public figure and get them delete any nasties for your sanity.

Two Year ban given expecting CAS to reduce to 1 year and cut fine. Chelsea ban cut similarly. If CAS agree to City appeal and emasculate UEFA and make them powerless. If UEFA want to be a realistic power in football and continue to be meaningful they cannot afford to be overturned entirely. They need to have teeth to deal with FFP otherwise clubs like Man C and PSG will continue to flout the rules and cheat their way to every title.