Could they void the PL due to the Coronavirus? | No | Resuming June 17th

TheLord said:
I do not think businessmen running football in Germany fully understand the difference between proper testing and rapid testing for Covid-19.

Conventional testing involves molecular diagnostics using what is known as Polymerase Chain Reaction. The testing method is labour-intensive and takes several hours to complete (sometimes up to a day in health-constrained environments). Further, real-time PCR requires different kinds of primers and probe sets that are in short supply all across the globe, including in the UK.

So, as an alternative, different companies have come up with what are known as rapid testing kits. Again, there are different kinds of rapid test kits available in the market that make use of either the antigen (virus protein etc.) or the antibody (human response against the virus particles). These tests have significantly shortened the time required for testing Covid-19, but with a big, big caveat - they are only accurate (sensitivity) anywhere from 34 to 80% of the times, according to the WHO.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the WHO has the following recommendations for rapid tests:
  1. Antigen-based rapid testing: NOT recommended for patient care, although research into their performance and potential diagnostic utility is highly encouraged.
  2. Antibody-based rapid testing: NOT recommended for patient care but encouraged to continue using it to establish their usefulness in disease surveillance and epidemiologic research.
Germany has a much better health infrastructure than the UK. It is extremely likely that they will be the first country in Europe to resume their football behind closed doors, but anyone assuming that government authorities will approve of BCD football in just one month relying on rapid point-of-care testing has no clue about this whole thing. The only way football can get going is when the curve of the epidemic has significantly flattened, which again, is difficult to objectify. We are several months away from real football in the UK.
Click to expand...
Glad to meet a fellow professional here.

Theoretically, the spread of the virus is not going to slow down until at least 50-60% of the population have immunity by infection or vaccination, either way I don't see it happen any soon.

If you really want to objectify whether the crisis has past, you'll need a large scale epidemiological surveillance using serological methods testing the presence of antibody in citizens. It wouldn't be safe for recreational events (including football matches) to resume unless antibody is found in 80-90% of the population.
 
Cloud7 said:
If there’s mass testing for footballers and people present at these games, while healthcare workers for the most part aren’t getting any tests at all, then there should be rioting. Football is an absolutely frivolity in a time like this and the absolute last thing that resources should be squandered on.
Click to expand...

Any sort of football is at least two months away at the earliest. They'll be mass rioting at the government if tests for NHS workers aren't being provided by then. They should all be tested within next two weeks after all.
 
Regulus Arcturus Black said:
Well they won’t be playing 3 games a week or flying, the two reasons she give for immune suppression.

When I see a pro footballer hospitalised, I’ll sit up and take note.
Click to expand...
The immune suppression caused by fatigue is long term. It isn't that your immunity drops when you play 3 games a week and it restores when you take a day off. Professional footballers have sustained high intensity matches and trainings throughout their career, which stress out their body as reflected from hematological reports.

Plus, it's almost certain that plenty of matches will be arranged in a short period of time once the pandemic is over. There are plenty of fixtures to be caught up with and I wouldn't be surprised if they actually arrange 3 games a week.

You don't see elite athletes being hospitalized just because UK adopts an unreasonably high threshold in admitting patients. There are plenty of NBA players being hospitalized in the US and Fellaini is also hospitalized in China, although you may argue he is not elite enough using your standard.
 
Last edited:
Sandikan said:
There's two parts to it, aren't there.

When it's allowed again.
And when you as an individual would choose to be in that situation.

Not sure i'd race to get back into a packed stadium.
Click to expand...

It won't be until this time next year, could easily be even longer.

I actually think that's going to have to be a trade off. None of us want to eventually watch top level matches constantly being played in behind closed doors 60 or 70k stadiums but it could very well be a reality.

Now do we only want to see 12 or so rounds of games like that or pretty much whole seasons? I'd rather take the final few games at a sensible date e.g July or August restart.

A whole season behind closed doors as 20-21 could well be wouldn't be good and likes of Wycombe would find it near impossible to survive.

Would rather start next season a little later to give more time (partly also as I suspect the season would have to be stopped in November anyway).
 
Has there been any talk from the football league about the possibility of setting up a PPV service for lower division clubs?

When football returns it will almost certainly be with no fans in attendance. So a ppv service where each teams fans can pay for each match or even a season ticket could really help out all the smaller clubs who rely on gate receipts to stay afloat.
 
There have been some comments about what would happen regarding players whose contracts end 30/6/2020 IF the season was extended last that date. Think UEFA (or FIFA) suggested some rubbish about the "intention" of the contract meaning a player should stay at their club for a season.

Seems to have already happened in rugby and lawyer suggesting that clubs couldn't stop player playing for their new club once date passed.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52257511
 
Last edited:
BeforeKeanetherewasRobson said:
There have been some comments about what would happen regarding players whose contracts end 30/6/2020 IF the season was extended last that date. Think UEFA (or FIFA) suggested some rubbish about the "intention" of the contract meaning a player should stay at their club for a season.

Seems to have already happened in rugby and lawyer suggesting that clubs couldn't stop player playing for their new club once date passed.
Click to expand...
Yeah that is bollocks and lawyers have already said so, all that they could do is stop a player from signing for a new club.
 
Redcy said:
Yeah that is bollocks and lawyers have already said so, all that they could do is stop a player from signing for a new club.
Click to expand...
Would have helped if I'd included the link?? Doh. Done now.

Richard Cramer is apparently a very experienced and well thought of sports lawyer. He says you couldn't stop them playing for someone else as that would be restraint of trade.
 
BeforeKeanetherewasRobson said:
Would have helped if I'd included the link?? Doh. Done now.

Richard Cramer is apparently a very experienced and well thought of sports lawyer. He says you couldn't stop them playing for someone else as that would be restraint of trade.
Click to expand...
Havent seen that one, I know the advice I saw was that they couldnt enforce contracts, but restraint of trade might figure if they refused to process transactions
 
Nothing is fair when you talk about a pandemic. Clubs will go bankrupt some will be relegated and some will go up. You cant really plan for a pandemic or ww3 can you?

End the season as it is and let that be final. Everybody gets their prize money and parachutes for going down will be in place - the clubs can then atleast plan a bit ahead and hopefully survive.

Lets start the new season when its safe again.

Yes Villa etc will be punished but some clubs will get punished no matter what. Atleast clubs can then start to plan and make ways to still be a club.
 
Finn MacCool said:
Sections of the right wing political commentariat don't help matters when they push for the lifting of lockdown due to economics. They suggest that the economic damage done now will result in more deaths due to poverty and mental illness in the future. This theory assumes that austerity will be imposed after this is over. But as we've just seen austerity is a political choice and the govt can intervene to protect people's livelihoods and the economy.
Click to expand...

Sure. There's always more money at the magic tree that lies in the land of golden rainbows.
 
I‘m surprised that Bundesliga will try to restart in May. They have some politicians on their side.
Apparently the situation is such that many clubs are in dire need for the tv money. Even huge clubs like Schalke are in danger of facing bankrupcy.
 
Regulus Arcturus Black said:
Doesn’t have to be footballers.
I’m happy with anything that isn’t snooker or darts.
Click to expand...

but with Darts - presumably you could actually do that I’m self isolation? The players don’t have to hit the same dart board do they? I’m not a fan of darts either

stevoc said:
Has there been any talk from the football league about the possibility of setting up a PPV service for lower division clubs?

When football returns it will almost certainly be with no fans in attendance. So a ppv service where each teams fans can pay for each match or even a season ticket could really help out all the smaller clubs who rely on gate receipts to stay afloat.
Click to expand...

It’s a good idea, but I’m not sure there is the demand, and how much it would help. L1 matches are £20-25 for the cheapest tickets when I’ve been - and I’m happy to pay that to watch the game live at the ground, but it’s the crowd that makes the experience, and the games are often pretty poor.

COVID-19 aside. I wouldn’t pay money to watch L1/L2 on pay per view matches behind closed doors, I think it would be a pretty terrible experience. Some hard core fans would want to, but I think the demand would be small. At least with the PL, even though clearly behind closed doors massively affects the experience, you can rely on better quality of the actual game.

I could be wrong and it might be a silver bullet.
 
Wrexham could get back to playing now. They have enough space in the grandstands to seat everybody 2m apart and they haven’t got any player who are capable of getting within 2m of anybody. .
 
  • Like
Reactions: Penna
Dick Dastardly said:
Wrexham could get back to playing now. They have enough space in the grandstands to seat everybody 2m apart and they haven’t got any player who are capable of getting within 2m of anybody. .
Click to expand...

city could play most of their home games tbf
 
stevoc said:
Has there been any talk from the football league about the possibility of setting up a PPV service for lower division clubs?

When football returns it will almost certainly be with no fans in attendance. So a ppv service where each teams fans can pay for each match or even a season ticket could really help out all the smaller clubs who rely on gate receipts to stay afloat.
Click to expand...

They already have one, I follow.

Fans can already watch midweek away games so imagine it will be scaled up, lifting the 3pm black out period indicates this.
 
There's a lot of talk about playing/finishing the season behind closed doors, I think this is a non-starter myself. LFC for example have a number of away games, they're going to be setting unbreakable records whilst playing their tougher away games with no disadvantage of away support. How can a season where LFC played their rivals with support at home but not away?
 
Heinzesight said:
Do they teach maths to Liverpool fans? You may be ‘nailed on’ to win the league...but you haven’t. If the season continues, ok. But they can feck off being given a sympathy trophy.
Click to expand...

If the league resumes they will win it and if not this will be remembered for decades as the most unlucky league campaign ever. So yes they will be given the sympathy trophy by objective people of course ... not that it's a great consolation prize anyway.
 
UweBein said:
I‘m surprised that Bundesliga will try to restart in May. They have some politicians on their side.
Apparently the situation is such that many clubs are in dire need for the tv money. Even huge clubs like Schalke are in danger of facing bankrupcy.
Click to expand...
They have a much better health system because they have so many private hospitals.

The public health system uses these private hospitals when a crisis comes along.


Labour and Tony Blair stopped tax relief on health insurance in 97. So fewer private hospitals about in the UK. Labour need as many people depending on the state as possible to win elections.
 
thegregster said:
They have a much better health system because they have so many private hospitals.

The public health system uses these private hospitals when a crisis comes along.


Labour and Tony Blair stopped tax relief on health insurance in 97. So fewer private hospitals about in the UK. Labour need as many people depending on the state as possible to win elections.
Click to expand...

Yes. The NHS struggling right now is obviously a result of Labour's actions in 97. They're the party to blame for this.
 
thegregster said:
They have a much better health system because they have so many private hospitals.

The public health system uses these private hospitals when a crisis comes along.


Labour and Tony Blair stopped tax relief on health insurance in 97. So fewer private hospitals about in the UK. Labour need as many people depending on the state as possible to win elections.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure it's the fault of the Whig's in 1833 when they destabilised healthcare reform. Definitely them. Definitely.
 
Prometheus said:
If you get to 30 deaths a day (which is still tragic of course) then allow people to attend large events like football then it will quickly shoot up again to current numbers, surely?
Click to expand...

The football might be back but there is no way in hell there will be fans at the stadium. It will be behind closed doors. Both fans and players need to accept it will be behind closed doors if it does come back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Penna
Dick Dastardly said:
Wrexham could get back to playing now. They have enough space in the grandstands to seat everybody 2m apart and they haven’t got any player who are capable of getting within 2m of anybody. .
Click to expand...
Bit harsh. Got over 4,000 game just after NY and max attendance less than 11,000.

the players bit is probably right though :)
 
Slysi17 said:
The football might be back but there is no way in hell there will be fans at the stadium. It will be behind closed doors. Both fans and players need to accept it will be behind closed doors if it does come back.
Click to expand...
That makes sense.
 
ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg said:
It’s a good idea, but I’m not sure there is the demand, and how much it would help. L1 matches are £20-25 for the cheapest tickets when I’ve been - and I’m happy to pay that to watch the game live at the ground, but it’s the crowd that makes the experience, and the games are often pretty poor.

COVID-19 aside. I wouldn’t pay money to watch L1/L2 on pay per view matches behind closed doors, I think it would be a pretty terrible experience. Some hard core fans would want to, but I think the demand would be small. At least with the PL, even though clearly behind closed doors massively affects the experience, you can rely on better quality of the actual game.

I could be wrong and it might be a silver bullet.
Click to expand...

Well yeah in a normal situation the demand wouldn't be there and it would be too pricey to be viable. But i was thinking if the games are BCD and its the only way to watch then hardcore regulars would pay to see their team and in doing so help them out financially. If a significant part of next year is played without fans a lot of clubs will be in trouble.
 
FootballHQ said:
They already have one, I follow.

Fans can already watch midweek away games so imagine it will be scaled up, lifting the 3pm black out period indicates this.
Click to expand...

Is this the ifollow service?

Yeah that could be used to sell tickets for individual games or even blocks of games or season tickets to help clubs out financially if next season has to be BCD.
 
Blueman said:
There's a lot of talk about playing/finishing the season behind closed doors, I think this is a non-starter myself. LFC for example have a number of away games, they're going to be setting unbreakable records whilst playing their tougher away games with no disadvantage of away support. How can a season where LFC played their rivals with support at home but not away?
Click to expand...

Eh :confused:

What about our remaining home matches where we'd have the disadvantage of not having our own fans cheering us on ? Doesn't that kinda balance it out ? & could you really see your own fans turning out in their droves playing against the side are going to win the league regardless of what happens at The Etihad ?
 
Blueman said:
There's a lot of talk about playing/finishing the season behind closed doors, I think this is a non-starter myself. LFC for example have a number of away games, they're going to be setting unbreakable records whilst playing their tougher away games with no disadvantage of away support. How can a season where LFC played their rivals with support at home but not away?
Click to expand...

Well sorry but the players have to accept it. It's a pandemic after all. Fairer outcome than declaring the season null and void and using last season's positions in the table. Also as someone mentioned all teams have home games too so it balances it out.
 
Majority of next season will likely be BCD aswell.

Nobody wants it but ultimately going to have to accept it.
 
Blueman said:
There's a lot of talk about playing/finishing the season behind closed doors, I think this is a non-starter myself. LFC for example have a number of away games, they're going to be setting unbreakable records whilst playing their tougher away games with no disadvantage of away support. How can a season where LFC played their rivals with support at home but not away?
Click to expand...

Anything they achieve this year will certainly have an asterix against it.
Which is harsh after ripping the league up
 
Sandikan said:
Can't see that happening. But then noone saw most of this mess happening!
Click to expand...

Will be carnage in the lower leagues for sure, they desperately need gate money.

Can see another lockdown in November-December so that would be the end of 20-21 season, if it actually has started by then.
 
Yeah, I'd expect bcd games until October / November at least and then it could depend on whether there's another wave.
 
Pep's Suit said:
Yeah, I'd expect bcd games until October / November at least and then it could depend on whether there's another wave.
Click to expand...

I wonder how they'd deal with season ticket sales.
Sell them as normal and refund any bcd games. Or only issue any when certain a game will have a crowd?
 
FootballHQ said:
Will be carnage in the lower leagues for sure, they desperately need gate money.

Can see another lockdown in November-December so that would be the end of 20-21 season, if it actually has started by then.
Click to expand...
I wonder if crowds will be brought back gradually.

For example, after a while (I've fully made peace with the rest of this season is BCD) start with one person (or family) every 6 or so seats then slowly build from there.
 
Dancfc said:
I wonder if crowds will be brought back gradually.

For example, after a while (I've fully made peace with the rest of this season is BCD) start with one person (or family) every 6 or so seats then slowly build from there.
Click to expand...
It's possible but I personally don't think it's meaningful. The point of social distancing is to avoid gathering and keep people apart.

In your suggestion, although seats are left empty between fans during the game, it's unavoidable that they would be crowded before and after the game. It's impossible to keep them apart when they enter or leave the stadium, or when they travel to the stadium on the tube. 10% of Old Trafford attendance is still 7000+, so there's actually no much different between a full crowd or a diminished crowd.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.