17 Apr 2020 12:31:59
Regardless of what the Premier League say this afternoon (they could just go through the motions and say "intent is to finish" (which it is of course), "need to assess the logistics" (the June 30 issue - which is easily fixed), "can't put a start on when training could start and matches begin", "still looking at options to play games behind closed doors" etc., I very much suspect the season is now done. The RFEF in Spain have announced the major part of their solution (La Liga has one major issue with it (to do with games restarting and stopping again) but have not really addressed the promotion/relegation issue (they have what they think is the answer but have yet to consult I understand - which oddly enough has never stopped them in the past) . There has been a significant backlash in Germany to the proposals to start as soon as they can behind closed doors - which means we could see the original plan to draw a line across etc. back on the table. The position in Italy is clear, the major clubs want a cut off. This afternoon it is likely that nine or ten PL sides will push a motion and ask for a vote to end the season now (they are not going to propose how that happens, as they see that as a specific issue).


1.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 13:14:52
Sucks for us, but I suppose it was inevitable under the circumstances. It's only football at the end of the day, not people's lives (sorry Shanks! )

Thanks Ed.

{Ed002's Note - I am pretty sure there will be no decision on how it would end today.}


2.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 13:16:42
Some kind of simple statistical projection to predict league final positions Ed002?
e. g. CurrentPoints + ( (WinRatio * 3) + (DrawRatio * 1)) * MonteCarloWalkFactor)

{Ed002's Note - I am afraid nobody will be trying to predict the final table.}


3.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 13:51:32
You very much think the season is now done Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Why try and change the words I wrote a couple of hours ago.}


4.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 14:58:29
Thanks Ed002, be interesting to see how each league decides how to end it.

{Ed002's Note - Where is comes to it I suspect a similar, albeit not identical, approach. Spain (RFEF) have decided that they will end the season, if the games cannot all be completed (whether they restart or not), by drawing a line across now, not awarding the title, and settling European places based on current positions (with the exception of the Copa del Rey place which if played will go to the winners else to Athletic Bilbao if it can't). The critical point is that if the season restarts but cannot be completed, the results revert to the standings at the start of the suspension - and the results of the games played after the restart would be voided - this is controversial as far as La Liga are concerned and they have a counter proposal that says if the games restart and then stop, those positions should stand. But the decision belongs to RFEF and typically they would overrule La Liga. Whilst they want to complete the league, they too are going to draw a June 30 line across if the games cannot start on May 28 and complete by then – although they have proposed a back stop of the end of July (but nobody wants to use it and clubs don’t wish to exercise it). They have not addressed promotion and relegation completely at this time but seem open to the two up/none down principle as others are considering.}


5.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 15:03:58
Thanks a mill for the update ED002 even if its not the answer we were hoping for.

So how I understood this:

You suspect no further games to be played in this season. Still to be determined is how the league finishes whether that be a cut off in the table or null in void season.

Is there a leaning either way in how the season will be finished at this time?

{Ed002's Note - Nobody has proposed making the season null and void.}


6.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 15:08:36
So Ed02, if the season is done (as I’m sure you’re correct in saying), how likely do you think it is that Liverpool will be champions? I understand it’s impossible to say for sure, either way, but with your knowledge of how things work and the people making the decisions, we’d all be interested to hear your views? Thanks!

{Ed002's Note - In all probability it would need Liverpool to ask for it and for a separate vote to be taken - and that would need to gain the approval or abstention of the other 19 sides that comprise the Premier League - what is commonly known as a blackball vote. This means if one or more sides were to vote against that proposal it does not pass.}


7.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 15:19:24
Thanks Ed002, appreciate your response. That doesn’t sound too promising.

{Ed002's Note - We have to wait and see. I will see if I can get some detail later from one of the attendees, but I very much doubt Liverpool were explicitly discussed.}


8.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 15:25:18
Again that’s much appreciated Ed002! We all know there are way more important things going on right now, but I guess it still doesn’t prevent the potential disappointment. We are all grateful for you keeping us updated.

{Ed002's Note - It is really now a matter of waiting.}


9.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 15:30:53
Thank you so much Ed!

Just so i'm clear, the PL is likely to follow a similar path to La Lige - if they can start the games by 28th May and complete by 30th June, they will. If not, the season will end, which the details are still to be decided.

Is that correct?

{Ed002's Note - Not really. The Premier League will consider the approach La Liga will take if they can't start the games by 28th May and complete by 30th June - with clubs resisting the backstop. The Premier League were a little naive about putting dates on the table originally but are now just delaying the dates as they simply do not know. They are not considering exit plans but are aware of the proposals that are looking favourite in other countries. Some clubs are, I understand, disappointed with this being so open-ended and want some sort of clusure on the season. As I said, it may be a bigger decision to be made when the "lockdown" is reconsidered in three weeks.}


10.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 15:32:14
Thanks again Ed002, I am not sure we would ask but could someone else put the motion forward? Also am I right in the understanding an abstention is effectively a yes in that scenario?

{Ed002's Note - Yes, another side could put forward a proposal that Liverpool are awarded the title. And generally right, an abstain vote is in reality not a "no" vote and gets discounted. So 10 for (yes) votes and 10 abtain would get the motion past, but 19 for and one against (the black ball) would see it fail.}


11.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 15:32:46
That’s good enough and clear enough for me Ed thank you. No way we will ask for it to take it to the vote, and if we did at least a few teams would vote against it.

Absolutely gutted, and we will probably never recover and come this close again. Somethings are bigger than sport though.

{Ed002's Note - I would not suggest that Liverpool would "never recover and come this close again". If that were the case, maybe Liverpool cound go and play in the Scottish first division where they do give away titles in such circumstances?.}


12.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 18:18:10
Chances of starting games again by 28th of May in England or Spain are pretty slim I would think.


13.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 18:24:33
Nothing concrete at all and the 30th June deadline was apparently not discussed.
A glimmer of hope yet perhaps?

{Ed002's Note - I have explained what was discussed under another post. The June 30 situation was not discussed as they don’t want to mention any dates.}


14.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 20:57:57
You still hoping for a glimmer Juicer mate? All my hope has gone mate with what Ed’s has confirmed will happen. Let it go mate, our wait has been 30 years, it might as well be longer.


15.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 21:23:04
I’ll stick with what I’ve said all along. The history books will show that Liverpool won the 19-20 premier league title. Mark my words. They aren’t guess work.


16.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 21:23:41
The ED has given his opinion on what will happen, he has confirmed nothing mate, so i suggest you just have some patience and see what happens.


17.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 22:02:54
So I can see it panning out that the only clubs getting any kind of reward from this ‘season’ will be the bottom 3 who were most likely going down. Brilliant that, be crap for 29 games and get to stay up, be great for 28 games (excluding Watford) and get nothing. And what about those teams at the top of the championship, especially Leeds who’ve been waiting years to get back into the PL. really think they need to find a way to finish the season off somehow.


18.) 17 Apr 2020
17 Apr 2020 23:06:04
There’s no way they can finish the league by the end of June, they’d have to be willing to go another month I think. And that’s about the best case scenario.
What I can’t get my head around is that they can use the current top 4 to qualify for next season’s CL yet can’t decide relegation by the same measure. And that potentially they can promote Leeds Utd and West Brom but can’t have a PL winner when we’re so far ahead. So that particular whole idea is a non-runner for me.
They’ve got to find a way to finish the games if at all possible and I strongly think that, in the circumstances, the time allowed has to be extended.
But, again, this all depends on the public health picture and of course that takes precedence.


19.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 06:11:17
Mathematically, we need one more win to get the title, away at city.
I propose we play that game before any new season starts. If we win, we get the title, if not, no one does.
Thats better and fairer than saying "top 4 get champions league, bottom 3 stay up, no title"

{Ed001's Note - in what way is it 'fairer'?}


20.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 09:26:11
How would you end it ed001?

{Ed001's Note - if it can't be completed, then it has to be voided. Personally though, I would not even consider a new season until this one is finished.}


21.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 10:29:37
I’m with you on that it would be best to finish what you’ve started but I think there is that much planning that goes into a new season, fixtures logistics etc that knocking back a season will have such a big knock on effect.

Personally if uefa are so bothered about getting leagues finished I’d scrap the euros completely as that gives next summer as a buffer.


22.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 12:59:17
Have to agree with Ed001 in that plans to start a new season shouldn’t be before this one is complete, whenever that might be. I know there are far more considerations than I could possibly understand, but football should and will need to be flexible. Coronavirus is likely to be with us for quite some time and personally I can’t see next season starting on time either. I really don’t understand the necessity to draw a line?

Stay safe all🤞.


23.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 15:19:42
Agree with WyRed here. Euros are pointless for me so they should scrap those to let all the leagues finish and then run on longer in 2021. Even more so given the format which is chock full of travel around a Europe!


24.) 19 Apr 2020
19 Apr 2020 12:24:13
I agree entirely with ed1, and it’s not got anything to do with Liverpool, but the order of priority should be complete this season and then deal with future seasons at that point. It makes no sporting sense to just abandon this season, I appreciate that ed2 tends to point out that that isn’t necessarily financially or organisationally a better thing to do, but as fans I think most would consider it most important to resolve the season that exists.


25.) 19 Apr 2020
19 Apr 2020 12:32:14
I would just like to add my thanks to ed2, absolutely phenomenal insight into what is going on and I think we all really appreciate the information you are passing on. Thanks mate.

{Ed002's Note - You are very sweet.}