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No Premier League club has raised the idea of eliminating relegation if the season is played, said CEO Richard Masters.
There have been reports that clubs were seeking to eliminate the threat of relegation, in part due to the increased likelihood that the season would have to be completed in neutral locations and the effect it would have on the integrity of the competition.
Neutral venues continue to be the subject of “continuous dialogue,” Masters said, revealing that some clubs feel their local police force could do a better job of limiting the risk of supporters of the household gathering due to the relationship between them. .
But ruling out the decline, which EFL President Rick Parry warned last week would mean “the lawyers will get rich,” was not raised at Monday’s club meeting, or at any other, according to Masters.
When asked how many clubs had asked for the season to be shortened and the decline was ruled out, he said: “None and none.
“All I can follow is what we are discussing in our meetings. And you specifically asked about elimination of relegation while playing the season, and that has never been raised in our formal meetings at all.”
Teachers said the reduction issue was first raised, but it is understood that there were no discussions on the methods that could be applied, such as points per game, etc.
Neutral venues continue to be a matter of debate among clubs, although Masters was interested in pointing out that none of the club meetings he has been involved with in the past 18 months could be described as “fragmented.”
The clubs have reportedly asked the league to return to the government and ask them to consider the season being played at home and away, and although Masters did not confirm this, he said the problem was still under discussion.
“It is not about convincing (the authorities to allow all Premier League stadiums to be used), because we need to listen to each other,” he said.
“I think some of our clubs would argue that, regarding the vigilance of their own fans, they have a good relationship with them, and that they encourage their own fans not to appear away from their premises while playing behind closed doors, and are in a better position to control that, but it’s not a convincing issue, this should be a decision that is made mutually. “
When asked if it was strictly the last six who opposed the concept, he said: “It is fair to say that it is not a problem exclusive to any part of the league.”
It is understood that the clubs were told at a shareholder meeting on May 1 that the only way to complete the season in a way that suited both the government and the police was to play in eight to 10 “approved” neutral venues.
This has been met with opposition from various clubs, including Brighton, Aston Villa and Watford.
South Yorkshire Deputy Police Chief Mark Roberts, who is the national leader of the football police, said last week that clubs arguing over the fairest way to end the season needed to “control” a situation in which thousands of people died from the virus, and thousands more severely affected.
Masters said the hope was for the league to resume “in mid-June,” but that work was still required to finalize protocols for return to training, and not least the acceptance of players and managers.
That could be difficult to achieve if the social media interventions by England internationals Danny Rose and Raheem Sterling are indicative of broader sentiments.
Rose, the full back of Tottenham, offered a withering assessment of the current debate on the restart during a Live on Instagram, and not least the idea that the sport would help to raise the spirit of the population.
“The government is saying ‘bring football back’ because it is going to raise the morale of the nation. I don’t give a shit about the morale of the nation, brother, people’s lives are at risk,” he said.
“You shouldn’t even talk about soccer to go back until the numbers (infected or dying) have dropped massively. It’s B *******.”
Sterling, in a video on his own YouTube channel, said: “The moment we come back, it just needs to be a time when it is not just for soccer reasons, it is safe not only for us soccer players but for all staff doctor, the referees, “he said.
“Until then, I’m … how can I say … fearless, but reserved and wondering what the worst outcome might be.”
Masters also said a league position had been reached on the subject of player contracts. Standard offers expire June 30, but the competition will now extend beyond this date.
“What was agreed today is that players can extend their contracts beyond June 30 until the end of the season, but both parties must agree and a later date can be scheduled for that; no later than June 23.” Masters said.
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