Gordon Taylor’s revelation that the shortening of Premier League matches has been discussed [Daily Mail], suggests the English game is now clutching at straws amid the global health crisis.
All fans want the return of football as soon as possible.
In Germany, plenty will be delighted by the news that the Bundesliga will reportedly resume on 15 May, albeit with matches taking place behind closed doors [Daily Mail].
The key to that decision, though, is that Germany has slowed the spread of the virus. Infection rates there compare favourably to the majority of other European countries and as a result, a reopening of the economy is in process.
The situation is entirely different here, though. On Tuesday, the UK passed Italy to become the country with the most recorded deaths in Europe [BBC News].
Amid that backdrop, the SPFL and SFA Joint Response Group issued an update on Tuesday afternoon which made it clear that although football was regarded as important for the nation, it would be some time before competitive matches are played again in Scotland [spfl.co.uk].
It’s wise not to make a call on the season just yet but it’s clear that big hurdles must be overcome before matches can be planned.
In England, though, increasingly outlandish proposals are being discussed which are beginning to smack of desperation.
There has been talk of the Premier League restarting in early June with games at neutral venues.
However, it emerged overnight that club doctors have expressed serious concerns about the safety risks involved with resuming training sessions and holding matches [The Guardian].
Instead of shelving plans, though, it seems more special conditions are being discussed in an apparent attempt to force through a restart.
PFA chief executive, Gordon Taylor, claims that proposals including increasing the number of permitted substitutions and even shortening the length of matches have all been discussed [Daily Mail].
That’s quite frankly ludicrous.
For the sake of sporting integrity, efforts should be made to finish current campaigns. Sporting integrity is only maintained if the same rules are applied throughout the season, though.
No matter how much TV money there is at stake, there must be an acceptance that the global health crisis will have long-lasting effects upon the footballing calendar.
Each country is at a different stage in dealing with the virus and so just because other associations are able to put a plan in place, doesn’t mean the Premier League can follow suit.
Football will only be allowed to return when government approval is granted but there should be no alterations made to the fundamental rules of the game in an attempt to speed up that process.
