The Premier League is suspended, but how will it end?
There are a number of options being kicked about, with some scenarios ruling out the coronation of a champion, so no title for Liverpool.
Here we look at the most likely futures for the Prem.
OPTION 1: Abandon the league
- Champions: None
- Relegated: None
Write the whole thing off - all those 29 games played count for nothing.
Scrap the lot and start again from scratch when the coast is clear.
This was proposed by West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady.
Her opinion was in no way influenced by the Hammers sitting outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Such a nuclear option is the last resort and nowhere near as simple as just pulling the plug, even if it avoids dealing with the unknown of when football will be safe to play again.
Putting the possible riots in Merseyside aside, the decision to call it all off early will have huge financial and legal ramifications.
- Pros: Decisive.
- Cons: Unsatisfactory with legal and financial issues.
OPTION 2: Play season to a finish however long it takes
- Champions: Liverpool (probably)
- Relegated: The bottom three
This is what the
Premier League want: the most desirable of all outcomes.
Wait it out. Hope the virus fizzles out and, eventually, whenever it is, restart the season and finish it off and then get the next one underway.
For this to happen, the Euros in the off-season will have to be postponed - as they are expected to be - to give time for the leagues to finish.
There are problems here too: who knows when football will be ready to be replayed, how players’ fitness and health will have been affected, and out-of-contract stars will have to renegotiate short-term deals beyond June 30, which is when deals usually expire.
Also, when does the next season start?
- Pros: All matches played, fair result.
- Cons: Unknown time frame, next season logjam.
OPTION 3: End the season with Liverpool as champions
- Champions: Liverpool
- Relegated: Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Norwich
Call an end to the
season now and freeze the positions as they are.
Liverpool are crowned champions and the
current bottom three - Norwich, Aston Villa and Bournemouth - are
relegated.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson (right) would lift the title his club deserves. They are 25 points ahead.
The clubs who are at the bottom are in the position they deserve to be, or so the argument goes.
Villa have a game in hand, though, but would still be in the relegation zone if you decided it on points per game. However, if they do this, don’t expect the relegated clubs to go down without a fight.
The Premier League are likely to face legal action from those clubs for breaching their own
competition rules.
- Pros: Decisive, clubs rewarded for success.
- Cons: Even more legal issues with relegated clubs.
OPTION 4: No relegation, expand the Premier League
- Champions: Liverpool
- Relegated: None
Call it a day, give Liverpool the title, but don’t relegate anyone.
Instead, expand the
Premier League.
This way you don’t face the wrath of Liverpool fans or legal challenges from the relegated clubs or Leeds and West Brom.
There is a slight precedent here. Chile abandoned their top division last season in the face of violent anti-government protests.
Universidad Catolica, who were leading by 13 points in October, were declared the champions. No one went down and the two leading teams from the second division were promoted. This season has been played with 18 teams instead of 16.
The Premier League, FA, EFL and WSL have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 13, 2020
Full statement: https://t.co/XcDyzBp4Ol pic.twitter.com/cmYjoY3LRR
- Pros: Fair, promoted clubs happy, avoid legal issues over relegation.
- Cons: Unhappy playoff contenders.