National League season ended

[ClaretTony]

National League have ended the season with immediate effect. Promotion & relegation outcomes remain under careful consideration.

[mdd2]

That will be a headache unless there is no promotion or relegation and there is no relegation from Division two

[jrgbfc]

Surely they have to promote Barrow? Or give them some kind of advantage in any play off system they come up with.

[ClaretTony]

Surely they have to promote Barrow? Or give them some kind of advantage in any play off system they come up with.

Season ended so no play offs - all depends on what they come up with regarding promotion and relegation and all depends on what the Football League decide

[jrgbfc]

With Bury going bust they have to promote one team though surely? What a mess the whole thing is.

[bfcmik]

I expect there will be legal challenges by non-promoted sides unless a deal has already been agreed by the clubs concerned.

[Chester Perry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612

[ClaretTony]

I expect there will be legal challenges by non-promoted sides unless a deal has already been agreed by the clubs concerned.

Clubs made the decision with a vote to end the season

[Spijed]

What does' Under careful consideration' actually mean with regards to promotion and relegation?

Sounds like they are just waiting to see what happens in League two and upwards.

[tiger76]

With Bury going bust they have to promote one team though surely? What a mess the whole thing is.

That was my initial thought,but it's not as simple as that,because it knocks on to all the leagues even potentially up to Championship level,the easy thing would be just to promote Barrow,and then have no relegation from League 2,but promote the top 3 from League 2,and demote Southend & Bolton,who are miles adrift at the foot,that ensures you have 24 teams in League 1 anyway,but how you sort out the rest IDK.i'm getting a headache already.

[ClaretTony]

What does' Under careful consideration' actually mean with regards to promotion and relegation?

Sounds like they are just waiting to see what happens in League two and upwards.

They already know there will be no relegation from the National Leagues with the rest of the leagues having had their season voided. The National League will have to decide who goes up and down between them (down to and up from North and South). What happens at the top will be dependent on the Football League.

[Chester Perry]

Suggested at the beginning of all this that a whole game solution was required and not seen anything that changes that thought - it needs to be about much more than carry on finishing/end the season and promotion/relegation though.

[AlargeClaret]

The lone promotion of Barrow would be pretty hard to object to, but a legal minefield could beckon

[Silkyskills1]

Possibly a penalty shoot out to determine promotion.

[wembley94]

Can any football return without a vaccine.Gary Neville said on the football show yesterday.that if football returns in June and any player or manager gets covid-19.that will end the season.so with a vaccine 12 months or more away.can any football return...Barrow very catchable

[fanzone]

The Dutch have ended all there league's aswell. We have it far worse than them. I'd say we are clutching at straws if we think the season will continue in England. I think it's very very clear it can't go past June 30th with all the contracts that are due to expire and also the existing sponsorship deals various clubs have are due to expire and change over to new deals

[Marney&Mee]

However it is resolved, there will be legal action. Points per games played will see AFC Fylde relegated. The Chairman has ploughed millions of his own money into reaching the Football League. Dropping down will mean part time footballers in a £15 million stadium losing significant amounts every month.

For promotion, he's suggesting a one off play off behind closed doors between Harrogate and Barrow. Then the teams just below will be up in arms.

Hard to see the best solution here

[Buxtonclaret]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned maybe VAR can sort it out.

[Dy1geo]

What this is showing is that as much as it is trying to find a workable solution football is not immune to this virus. In my opinion Sky should confirm as a gesture of goodwill the money for season 19/20, that way the Premier League can sort out whether they void etc and that will filter down the leagues. Clubs can then “attempt” to prepare for season 20/21 regarding squads contract extensions etc. We are pretty certain to be in Premier League next season whatever is decided but it is not fair on clubs battling the drop to have this uncertainty over them with potentially only a few weeks to adjust to life in the championship.

[Hibsclaret]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned maybe VAR can sort it out.

Yes the Virus Assistant Referee should sort it.

Barrow are 4 points ahead with 9 games left....hardly enough for the nobody would have an issue with promoting Barrow comments...

If the Dutch eredivisie league has gone it shows the top leagues can be stopped and may have to be yet.

[jrgbfc]

However it is resolved, there will be legal action. Points per games played will see AFC Fylde relegated. The Chairman has ploughed millions of his own money into reaching the Football League. Dropping down will mean part time footballers in a £15 million stadium losing significant amounts every month.

For promotion, he's suggesting a one off play off behind closed doors between Harrogate and Barrow. Then the teams just below will be up in arms.

Hard to see the best solution here

If they go down that route then surely Barrow deserve some kind of advantage? Not sure what exactly, cos if it has to be behind closed doors then playing at home isn't that much of an advantage.

[Hibsclaret]

I think it's very very clear it can't go past June 30th with all the contracts that are due to expire and also the existing sponsorship deals various clubs have are due to expire and change over to new deals

One thing it definitely isn’t is ‘very very clear’

[Chester Perry]

In my opinion Sky should confirm as a gesture of goodwill the money for season 19/20, that way the Premier League can sort out whether they void etc and that will filter down the leagues.

While useful what about the other £400m+ from the remaining broadcast partners - many like Sky have been losing subscribers in the last few weeks. Whole game solution this is not

[Dy1geo]

While useful what about the other £400m+ from the remaining broadcast partners - many like Sky have been losing subscribers in the last few weeks. Whole game solution this is not

When you explain it like that it really is a mess and will be compounded if our Govt goes the way of the Dutch government.

[Chester Perry]

When you explain it like that it really is a mess and will be compounded if our Govt goes the way of the Dutch government.

I actually think that would help a great deal - particularly with the legal issues over promotion and relegation - It also allows time to think about what's next, and how can we all survive, rather than chasing tails working out endless ways of trying to finish the season

[Chester Perry]

Meanwhile the clubs are beginning to face up to the proposition for themselves

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... y-covid-19

[dsr]

Yes the Virus Assistant Referee should sort it.

Barrow are 4 points ahead with 9 games left....hardly enough for the nobody would have an issue with promoting Barrow comments...

If the Dutch eredivisie league has gone it shows the top leagues can be stopped and may have to be yet.

The point is that the FL are a team short and want to promote somebody. Barrow are the team with the best credentials. It's not a question of "have Barrow done enough to earn promotion" - they haven't - but "who have the most right to fill this vacancy".

[dsr]

Can any football return without a vaccine.Gary Neville said on the football show yesterday.that if football returns in June and any player or manager gets covid-19.that will end the season.so with a vaccine 12 months or more away.can any football return...Barrow very catchable

They don't close Tesco if one of the staff gets ill. I dare say they could manage to avoid shutting down an entire football league.

[paulatky]

Another problem is if the games are televised just to meet Sky and BT ‘s contract obligations then friends without those subscriptions will gather at friends houses who do, which would totally go against social distancing guidelines.
If made free to air on BBC defeats object of playing to get the Sky and BT money.
Those with a subscription would expect a refund.

[wembley94]

dsr...I one hundred percent agree.football players should not be treated any differently.to any one else .don't believe any present day football players are in any real danger.unlike a lot of older people who will be going back to work

[tiger76]

Another problem is if the games are televised just to meet Sky and BT ‘s contract obligations then friends without those subscriptions will gather at friends houses who do, which would totally go against social distancing guidelines.
If made free to air on BBC defeats object of playing to get the Sky and BT money.
Those with a subscription would expect a refund.

Funny you mention games being made free to air.

Premier League matches could be free-to-air once season restarts
Laura Scott

BBC Sport News Correspondent

The Premier League is considering making some behind-closed-doors fixtures available free-to-air when the season restarts, the culture secretary said.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said he has been having "productive talks" with governing bodies from across British sport on restarting following the coronavirus shutdown.

He said the resumption hinges on passing the Government's five tests as well as meeting social distancing guidelines.

Dowden said it was also important to send out a message that is "consistent" with that being given to the public.

Football is suspended indefinitely across most of Europe because of the continued spread of Covid-19.

[Hipper]

They don't close Tesco if one of the staff gets ill. I dare say they could manage to avoid shutting down an entire football league.

Tesco is essential to our way of life. Football is not.

[Elizabeth]

I think it would be wise to treat the Guardian article with a pinch of salt.
No clubs were named in the article but with West Ham already supporting finishing the season now it would not be surprising if this growing number of clubs included other PL sides in danger of relegation.
I also found it a weak excuse that one of these 'growing number of clubs' put forward the age profile of their players as a disadvantage if midweek games had to be played. Clutching at straws for me

[dsr]

Tesco is essential to our way of life. Football is not.

They don't close the BBC if one of their staff gets it, either. And TV isn't essential.

[paulatky]

Funny you mention games being made free to air.

Premier League matches could be free-to-air once season restarts
Laura Scott

BBC Sport News Correspondent

The Premier League is considering making some behind-closed-doors fixtures available free-to-air when the season restarts, the culture secretary said.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said he has been having "productive talks" with governing bodies from across British sport on restarting following the coronavirus shutdown.

He said the resumption hinges on passing the Government's five tests as well as meeting social distancing guidelines.

Dowden said it was also important to send out a message that is "consistent" with that being given to the public.

Football is suspended indefinitely across most of Europe because of the continued spread of Covid-19.

To my mind all games that are televised would have to be free to air otherwise groups of fans would congregate to watch the games on Sky and BT so not observing social distancing.

The main reason they are trying to finish the fixtures is to safeguard the Sky and BT revenues.

It was said in the press briefing tonight that social distancing restictions would have to be in place for at least a year, which to my mind rules out crowds at football matches till at least next March.

[Chester Perry]

To my mind all games that are televised would have to be free to air otherwise groups of fans would congregate to watch the games on Sky and BT so not observing social distancing.

The main reason they are trying to finish the fixtures is to safeguard the Sky and BT revenues.

It was said in the press briefing tonight that social distancing restictions would have to be in place for at least a year, which to my mind rules out crowds at football matches till at least next March.

and what does that do to the £400m or so outstanding to the Premier League from it's domestic broadcasters

[tiger76]

To my mind all games that are televised would have to be free to air otherwise groups of fans would congregate to watch the games on Sky and BT so not observing social distancing.

The main reason they are trying to finish the fixtures is to safeguard the Sky and BT revenues.

It was said in the press briefing tonight that social distancing restictions would have to be in place for at least a year, which to my mind rules out crowds at football matches till at least next March.

The reasons you mentioned above are precisely why free to air is being strongly considered,their fear is that even if pubs are still shut,people will just gather at each others houses,and that's exactly what they want to avoid,how that tallies with the BT/Sky contract is a good and one that i don't knows the answer to.

Reading about the social distancing measures,i'd be inclined to agree it'll be many months until crowds at large-scale events are allowed,whether that be football matches,pop concerts,or other events,life isn't going to return to normal anytime soon,even if people want it too.

[tiger76]

Yes i know it's only the Scottish Junior League,but could this set a precedent?

How would you feel about your team winning the title when they're in third place, 12 points off the top and having played barely half of their league games?

That's exactly what has happened to Scottish junior club Auchinleck Talbot, who have been crowned champions of the West Region Premiership.

Why? Well because the Scottish Junior Football Association have ended the league season early on a points-per-game basis with all football in Scotland suspended until at least 10 June because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Talbot had earned 41 points to Kilwinning Rangers' 53, but had no fewer than nine games in hand on their Ayrshire rivals, who had played 25 of their 30 league games. Glasgow side Pollok were second on 42 points from 22 games.

But based on a formula looking at points per game average for home and away fixtures, Talbot finish as league winners.

Talbot's reward is that they get to compete in the Scottish Cup, a competition in which they reached the last 16 in 2019 after beating Championship side Ayr United.

A statement from the West Junior FA committee said: "We believe we must recognise each club that would have likely gone on to win their respective league titles. Success needs to be recognised even if factors are part of the deciding process."

It has proved a controversial move, especially as it is the last title of its kind, with 63 junior clubs moving to a new West of Scotland League for next season, which allows them to go for promotion towards the SPFL.

What a way to go out.

[paulatky]

The reasons you mentioned above are precisely why free to air is being strongly considered,their fear is that even if pubs are still shut,people will just gather at each others houses,and that's exactly what they want to avoid,how that tallies with the BT/Sky contract is a good and one that i don't knows the answer to.

Reading about the social distancing measures,i'd be inclined to agree it'll be many months until crowds at large-scale events are allowed,whether that be football matches,pop concerts,or other events,life isn't going to return to normal anytime soon,even if people want it too.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying proper attention throughout.

The bigger question is why the game’s authorities and individual clubs wont admit it, The only reason is pure greed.

[Hipper]

That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying proper attention throughout.

The bigger question is why the game’s authorities and individual clubs wont admit it, The only reason is pure greed.

I would suggest it is club's survival that is at stake, certainly as we know it

[diamondpocket]

The reasons you mentioned above are precisely why free to air is being strongly considered,their fear is that even if pubs are still shut,people will just gather at each others houses,and that's exactly what they want to avoid,how that tallies with the BT/Sky contract is a good and one that i don't knows the answer to.

Reading about the social distancing measures,i'd be inclined to agree it'll be many months until crowds at large-scale events are allowed,whether that be football matches,pop concerts,or other events,life isn't going to return to normal anytime soon,even if people want it too.

Are you suggesting we won't even be able to go to people's houses in the future until there is a vaccine? Not even for a brew?

[paulatky]

Are you suggesting we won't even be able to go to people's houses in the future until there is a vaccine? Not even for a brew?

I think that is what was meant by social distancing restictions being here until 2021 that was stated in yesterday’s press conference.

Would you want that risk , or more importantly passing on infection to another household.

[diamondpocket]

The risk is gonna be everywhere in any case. Going on transport there is gonna be a risk, going to supermarkets now there is a risk. Once pubs re-open they'll be a risk. There is always gonna be a risk. Are they seriously gonna tell people not to go to their families and visit and have a brew once things have started to die down? Once things start to re-open like shops, markets and travel restrictions lifted then I see no reason why games behind closed doors can't be played. The Prem clubs have money for regular testing and can advise players to limit their movement between homes, training ground and stadiums, limiting contact with the public.