WF I said that in the full knowledge that we are at the bottom and could possibly be relegated. Although it looks like no relegation in Scotland so England might follow suit. But my point was it looked to me that money and where it went is the driving force behind this. It certainly is the case here in Scotland with the premier league with Rangers refusing to accept 2nd place. And obviously they are desperate to deny Celtic another title.
True but what they haven't considered (or they have but don't care because it won't be their problem) is that it won't stop the same fans congregating outside the ground / in the town centre to celebrate. Likewise it won't stop house gatherings or pubs from secretly opening.
I believe that businesses that reopen will only do so if they can follow strict guidelines making it safe for staff to go back. As part of my job I speak to businesses everyday and I know some of them are planning on bring staff back from furlough or from home-working but they can only so so if they can prove they meet guidelines on safety and social distancing. I've yet to see a plan showing how footballers will follow these guidelines. Furthermore the most important point for me is that football is a spectator sport, the real fans who buy season tickets and go to games should be very near the top of the priority list. Playing behind closed doors tells me something very different.
In fairness to the fa they have made it quite clear that they would only restart when the government deems it safe to do so. On the spectator issue I do get that but then how many fans go to ALL games anyway? The vast majority of us regularly 'spectate' either via TV, radio or even just on here. I think in a way it comes down to would you rather see Barnsley without being there or not see them at all? If it's the latter then why do we subscribe to sky, listen to radio Sheffield, use the BBS etc?
I agree, I think they are waiting for the government to make the decision so they can avoid having to do it themselves. One problem I do see with the neutral ground plan is that it will mean that some teams have had home advantage more than others and if this becomes a determining factor there are going to be clubs and fans that feel hard done by. My personal preference is that we put everything on hold until it can restart properly with fans in the stadium. The neutral ground plan really doesn't help anyone except the big clubs.
Unless the regulations have changed, I believe they never actually gave provision within the law for anyone to work outside the home. You’re allowed to leave your house to *travel* to work but nothing is included about once you arrive or how to get back home again. Obviously, the intention was that you can but the law doesn’t allow it. It’s surprising that within all the debate about whether it was essential travel, or travel to essential work etc. that that was never picked up on.
I really don't like the neutral ground thing either. If it was to restart behind closed doors id warn all fans that anyone found attempting to attend or congregating near the ground (actual ground not neutral) would receive a life ban. No exceptions. I'd then push police to take a strict approach to handing out fines and getting identities
It would never happen though. Take us for example; every year we have a pitch invasion after the last game of the season - we have a full season to put something in place to stop it, we warn people that it is a criminal offence but it still happens. Fans will congregate and in all probability they will do so with a good degree of impunity.
How do footballers social distance whilst playing? Our defence could probably manage it based on the season so far but other teams haven’t had enough practice.
Why are they so desperate to finish the season at the earliest opportunity possible? Matches taking place behind closed doors with players that are reluctant to be involved. Some players and medical staff might refuse to be involved on health grounds, and who could blame them. It makes the whole idea of restarting early a nonsense. We should definitely finish this season at some point , maybe starting the first Saturday in September or even October (with fans) at normal grounds. Then the next season starts a month after the final games of the previous season. This might take a 5-7 year cycle of catching up until we are back to 'normal' football fixtures dates. This situation isn't going away any time soon.
They can't which is why they aren't playing until they've been told by the government that they can. Is there actually any law forcing people to stay two metres apart? I know you are only allowed out for certain reasons but is there anything telling you you must stay two metres apart? I've seen advice but no rules. The oddest rule I have seen is that I can only leave my home for certain reasons but I am also allowed to have a gathering of me and one other person from another household. What's that all about?
BBC stating number if Prem clubs will go along with neutral venues on the proviso that there is no relegation. I can see this being actioned as Prem only concerned about themselves but difficult to see matches happening Anyway would take that. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52517532
I am all about self-interest. I want the season to be cancelled because it helps my club. I don't care a whit why it is cancelled, only that it is.
Meanwhile down in the lower leagues in sure clubs will be more worried about actually staying is existence than if they can play out a season in empty stadiums.
there’s very little point in league 1 and league 2 clubs playing in empty stadiums, probably most of the championship too I can’t remember the link to the article but it was on the bbc that said maybe 17 of the 20 PL clubs don’t actually need gate money.
did you know that had Euro 2020 gone ahead - Wales v. Turkey and Wales v Switzerland were both to be played in Baku Azerbaijan. The football 'planners' are not the most sensible/logical people!
There is no law but it’s there to lower risk. It’s quite possible if say the PFA requested risk assessments to protect its members that one of the control measures would be to implement social distancing ( the govt is in the process of consulting with unions regarding H&S post lockdown and I believe that this is one of the measures that they have agreed upon)