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Post by londonranger on May 16, 2020 13:00:20 GMT
Bundesliga has resumed playing. No fans. Just cardboard cutouts.
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Post by sharky on May 16, 2020 15:11:08 GMT
Bundesliga has resumed playing. No fans. Just cardboard cutouts. Nice to be watching some live football again even though I know virtually nothing about the Bundesliga!
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Post by terryb on May 16, 2020 16:56:28 GMT
Time will tell if it has been safe to restart, but I'm told that the football has been of a reasonable standard.
Fitness will improve with every game played.
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Post by rickyqpr on May 17, 2020 8:46:27 GMT
League 2 abandoned. Stevenage have to wait until Monday to see if they are relegated or not. More likely that Barrow will take Bury's place only and there will be no play offs from the National League. Wonder how then Barrow's replacement in the National League will be decided though? Wealdstone looked a cert for promotion - perhaps a play-off game - but then how does it filter down through the pyramid? Messy no matter what. But Swindon, Crewe and Plymouth promoted and probably play-offs for the 4th promotion place. Bit messy in league One though at the moment. Peterborough refusing to give it up without a fight.
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Post by rickyqpr on May 17, 2020 9:37:40 GMT
If League One is abandoned, then Sunderland will be destined for yet another season in League One.
Sunday Mirror reports that they have decided to let 14 out of contract players go as a consequence.
Joel Lynch is one of the 14 (not surprised!), but I was surprised to read Josh Scowen's name in the list.
At the time of his January exit from QPR it was said that he was sold for an undisclosed fee. He was 'Parkinson's number one target'.
But apparently, the deal was that Sunderland would take over his QPR contract until the end of the season with a view to a new contract in the Summer (at lower wages presumably).
But they could just release him now it seems. He never established himself in the starting eleven at Sunderland.
Another consequence of the pandemic if so I guess!
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Post by rickyqpr on May 19, 2020 19:48:38 GMT
Hull unhappy that their letter was leaked. They want the Championship season to be abandoned - but nothing to do with their appalling form after selling their best players.... www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52723772Hull City 'disappointed' at leaked letter reported to oppose Championship season resumption Hull were 21st in the Championship, two points above the relegation zone, when the season was halted in March Hull City say they are "disappointed" that a club letter reportedly opposing the resumption of the Championship campaign has been leaked. The Telegraph reports Tigers vice-chairman Ehab Allam had called for the season to be voided. Hull said the correspondence was "intended to remain private between the EFL and other Championship clubs". Talks are ongoing about if and how the season will be completed amid the coronavirus pandemic. No second-tier games have been played since 8 March and elite football in England was suspended five days later. A statement from Hull, who were 21st in the table and two points above the relegation zone when the season was halted, said: "We are disappointed that a letter which was intended to remain private between the EFL and other Championship clubs has been leaked. "It is our view that each club will, quite understandably, have their own view on the subject of how and when to return to play football and we fully respect that. "The privacy of discussions between member clubs and the league is paramount to ensuring honest and open debate. As such, we will continue to engage in talks in the correct manner and will not enter into a public debate on the matters in hand. "Our primary concern throughout this difficult time has been for the health and safety of our players and staff and that will continue to be the case." Owls boss Monk 'would understand' any player concerns Coronavirus and sport - latest updates as Premier League players return to training On Friday, when League Two clubs chose to end their campaign without playing any further regular fixtures, the EFL said Championship clubs had "indicated that it is their wish to play on and conclude the season". The EFL board had, earlier in the week, informed clubs that they should not return to training until 25 May at the earliest, while culture secretary Oliver Dowden said a meeting between the government, Football Association, Premier League and EFL had "progressed plans" for football to return in June. Premier League teams agreed to start non-contact training in small groups from Tuesday.
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Post by rickyqpr on May 21, 2020 13:02:22 GMT
English Football League: Promotion and relegation to remain if seasons curtailed Clubs will still be promoted and relegated from all three divisions of the English Football League if seasons are ended amid the coronavirus crisis. Play-offs will also be played, but with no more than four teams. The EFL has confirmed that 51% of clubs in either the Championship, League One or League Two need to agree for a campaign to be curtailed. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52758193
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Post by terryb on May 21, 2020 13:40:37 GMT
From what I have seen, I would imagine that the EFL will be over the 51% to complete the season as Hull are the only club that I've heard are not in favour.
However, I've just studied the league table & it could be 50/50 as to whether a club would benefit by completing or not. It depends on whether any of the top six clubs want to risk those positions by continuing. The same applies to clubs just oclear of the bottom three.
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Post by Ashdown_Ranger on May 21, 2020 18:25:08 GMT
Got to be done I think, and someone somewhere is going to be mightily p*ssed off. The BBC article suggest a points-weighted scheme, which would mean Wycombe jumping from 8th to 3rd. Some of those around them are up in arms...
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Post by terryb on May 21, 2020 19:34:36 GMT
Got to be done I think, and someone somewhere is going to be mightily p*ssed off. The BBC article suggest a points-weighted scheme, which would mean Wycombe jumping from 8th to 3rd. Some of those around them are up in arms... It is the unweighted scheme that would be used. Wycombe would remain outside the top six with it being weighted! All Peterborough need do is get another eleven clubs to vote for concluding the season! I think that might be difficult!
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Post by rickyqpr on May 22, 2020 12:15:12 GMT
Coronavirus: Ten football clubs could go bust in weeks without urgent govt bailout, MP warns Damian Collins says the pandemic is making the plight of vulnerable clubs in the English Football League even more acute. By Geraint Hughes, Sky Sports News The government is being urged to provide financial support quickly Up to 10 football clubs could go into administration within weeks unless they receive an urgent and substantial government bailout, it has been claimed. Damian Collins, the former chair of the digital, culture, media and sport select committee, said many League 1 and 2 teams in the English Football League were in a parlous state even before the coronavirus crisis began. The MP says the pandemic is making the plight of vulnerable clubs more acute - and called on the government to provide financial support quickly. Damian Collins has warned clubs will go into administration unless they get a bailout He told Sky Sports News: "In the next few weeks, we could see five to 10 EFL League clubs going into administration. "We saw the outcry last summer when two clubs, Bury and Bolton, were in trouble. If that happens there will be huge public demand to do something. "Without the government stepping in, those clubs could go to the wall and there maybe others that follow." Although Mr Collins said it would be more ideal for footballing organisations to help themselves, he warned that this is not possible. "I don't think there is a body able to stump up the cash needed... it requires leadership from the government here," he added. Mr Collins, along with Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven, have drafted a six-point plan to "rescue football and protect community assets for future generations to enjoy". They believe the EFL is not fit for purpose in its current structure - and warned that, without reforms, clubs would continue to be run so badly that they would need more cash. Mr Collins also said taxpayers' money must not be used to buy players - and should solely be used to ensure clubs are financially sustainable. Earlier this month, EFL chairman Rick Parry told the Commons select committee that the league would face a "black hole of £200m" by September - but added that he doubted whether any government would provide a bailout amounting to that figure. Last month, Culture, Media & Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden announced a £16m package to help Rugby League through its financial problems. The six-point plan to support the EFL has received backing from former FA chairman David Triesman, who said: "Damian Collins and Charlie Methven have clearly devoted considerable thought to the financial and social crises facing football. "They have identified some very practical routes through to a more secure future and I welcome this wholeheartedly. "It is a pity that football so seldom does the work needed itself. But it doesn't. This is therefore an especially important intervention." Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters' Association and supporter representative on the FA Council, added: "The necessary restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have made government support for football clubs - a vital part of our communities and culture - an urgent necessity. "We welcome the call for that assistance to be both prompt and linked to future sustainability. "Football now has a unique opportunity to reset and adopt new ideas, which not only secure the short-term future of clubs, but help them thrive in the seasons ahead." news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-ten-football-clubs-could-go-bust-in-weeks
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Post by Roller on May 31, 2020 21:07:43 GMT
Championship season set to restart on 20 June as coronavirus lockdown easeswww.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52834579The Championship season is set to resume on 20 June, more than three months after it was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. The EFL said the date was "provisional" and "subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and government guidance is met". There are 108 matches remaining, plus the play-off semi-finals and final. No Championship fixtures have been played since 8 March, with the campaign suspended five days later. The EFL said it is aiming to complete the Championship season with the play-off final "on or around 30 July", adding that there would be ongoing discussions on proposals to permit the use of five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and increasing matchday squads from 18 to 20 players. The announcement comes a day after the UK government gave the green light for domestic competitive sport to return, behind closed doors, from Monday. Horse racing and snooker will each resume competitive action on Monday, while the Premier League is due to restart on 17 June. "Following Saturday's announcement by the government to allow elite sporting events to return behind closed doors, the EFL has this weekend agreed to a provisional restart date of the weekend of 20 June 2020 for matches in the Sky Bet Championship," an EFL statement read. "After discussing various approaches and the importance of completing the season in a similar timeline to that of the Premier League to avoid any potential issues with promoted and relegated clubs, the Sky Bet Championship season is set to conclude with the Championship play-off final on or around 30 July 2020." Players have been back in training since 25 May, initially while following social distancing guidelines, and full contact training will begin next week. EFL chair Rick Parry said: "We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and wellbeing of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority. "Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time." Parry added that the EFL was in talks about broadcasting the remaining 108 games and play-offs either live on Sky Sports or via streaming services. Three rounds of coronavirus testing have been conducted to date across the 24 clubs in the second tier, with more than 1,000 tests carried out each time. Two people at Hull City tested positive in the first round, while two unnamed Fulham players and Blackburn captain Elliott Bennett tested positive in the second round of results. Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley was one of 10 positive Covid-19 tests across eight Championship clubs in the latest round of testing, revealed on Saturday. When the season was paused, Leeds United were top of the table, one point clear of second-placed West Bromwich Albion. Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End occupy the four play-off spots, while Barnsley, Luton Town and Charlton Athletic are in the relegation zone.
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Post by rickyqpr on Jun 2, 2020 10:20:36 GMT
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52880611Macclesfield charged for a third time this season. The club is appealing as it relates to unpaid wages for March. But they havd alreawdy been deducted 12 points with 2 further points suspended. They are currently 3 points clear of Stevenage - so if found guilty the EFL could levy a further deduction on top of the two, and hence relegate Macclesfield. With the season suspended for League 2, the relegation will now be determined by a disciplinary board it seems. Of course, you could take the view that given the number of breaches in a single season, Macclesfield are likely to default again next season, so should be relegated now. But as ever, hard on the fans who have just donated money so that the players would be paid for May. There is no fair soloution, but perhaps no relegation this season, but Macclesfield to start next year with a points deduction - like Bolton did. But even then, it can be a waste of a season (as it was for Bolton) and of course if Macclesfield do default again then it is another mess to untangle / sort. Perhaps, Macclesfield will be the first club to go to the wall, but when is pretty uncertain.
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Post by terryb on Jun 2, 2020 12:49:13 GMT
I'm sorry ricky, but I can't see how the EFL can fail to relegate a club & not accept two clubs from the National League IF they want the Premier to accept the Championship play off winners. They can't even argue that the NL did nof fulfil it's fixtures as League Two have done the same but are promoting clubs.
That is provived, of course, that the National League can demonstrate that next sesson is likely to be played!
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Post by rickyqpr on Jun 2, 2020 13:30:54 GMT
I'm sorry ricky, but I can't see how the EFL can fail to relegate a club & not accept two clubs from the National League IF they want the Premier to accept the Championship play off winners. They can't even argue that the NL did nof fulfil it's fixtures as League Two have done the same but are promoting clubs. That is provived, of course, that the National League can demonstrate that next sesson is likely to be played! I fully take the point Terry, I don't have a problem with a club being relegated to the National League. I also do not have a problem that Stevenage were so far behind that they should be the club that goes. Likewise, as I expressed above, if Macclesfield are going to default next season again, then it is better that they drop now. I think that my 'concern' is that the EFL Board decision making has a record of being pretty poor and inconsistent and then poorly communicated. Even this week. The thread is about Covid and football generally, so because of the suspension of the season, if the new case is proven, the EFL are faced with a decision now to either relegate Macclesfield or by default, let then off what has been 3 cases in a year. As a side issues, the month in question was during suspension of fixtures and gate income. Presumably, all clubs struggled to meet the wage bill. but again, I accept that there are deep problems with the Silkmen,. So, part of my interest is always the timing of bringing these cases and allocating penalties. It seems that they are usually gauged to put the errant club under league position pressure, but not to the extent that they are being relegated by the decision e.g. Birmingham. Macclesfield's 2nd penalty left them just clear should the season continue - it didn't but now they have another case to answer it seems. I also struggle to understand how the EFL find time for a decision on League 2, but do not appear to have progressed any of the Championship FFP cases. It is not just the inconsistency, but as ever the lack of communication about ongoing issues.
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Post by terryb on Jun 2, 2020 15:36:49 GMT
Point taken ricky, especially with regards to making decisions on Division two & not The Championship!
I would also think that Macclesfield must be due another points deduction plus the suspended deduction being applied, but whether that will happen only the EFL management will know! Personally, I can't see Macc surviving with their current owners, be that this season or next.
The EFL certainly don't make it easy for themselves to be liked! Why has there been no resolution to Division One? With 23 clubs it is impossible to not reach a 51% majority in the vote! It is also time that the NL decided the criteria on how to finish their season rather than keep waiting on the EFL
BTW, I'm still annoyed that the FA null & voided step 3 downwards instead of using PPG!
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Post by Marc on Jun 2, 2020 15:45:45 GMT
If the EFL was to decide that there was to be no relegation from L2, that would stink. No club should benefit from this crisis.
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Post by rickyqpr on Jun 3, 2020 8:02:39 GMT
If the EFL was to decide that there was to be no relegation from L2, that would stink. No club should benefit from this crisis. Understand the sentiment, but even if there is relegation, either Stevenage or Macclesfield will benefit - we just shall never know for sure which one.
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Post by Marc on Jun 3, 2020 8:34:12 GMT
If the EFL was to decide that there was to be no relegation from L2, that would stink. No club should benefit from this crisis. Understand the sentiment, but even if there is relegation, either Stevenage or Macclesfield will benefit - we just shall never know for sure which one. My point was that whoever finishes in a relegation spot in L2 should not suddenly benefit by staying in the football league to the detriment of the team that has earned promotion from the NL.
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Post by rickyqpr on Jun 3, 2020 13:13:40 GMT
Understand the sentiment, but even if there is relegation, either Stevenage or Macclesfield will benefit - we just shall never know for sure which one. My point was that whoever finishes in a relegation spot in L2 should not suddenly benefit by staying in the football league to the detriment of the team that has earned promotion from the NL. Ok, I understand and agree.
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Post by rickyqpr on Jun 3, 2020 13:15:36 GMT
Out of contract players and loanees have the option to not play when the season returns. Charlton have 15 players out of contract.
Lyle Taylor: Charlton striker will not play when season resumes, says Lee Bowyer Lyle Taylor helped Charlton win promotion from League One in 2019 Charlton's top scorer Lyle Taylor will not play when the season resumes because he does not want to risk getting injured, boss Lee Bowyer says. Taylor, 30, is out of contract at the end of June and Bowyer said the ex-AFC Wimbledon striker did not want to scupper a "life-changing move". The EFL has said second-tier games are set to resume on 20 June, subject to safety requirements being met. Charlton are two points adrift of safety with nine matches to play. "We have 15 out of contract - we've got six loans and nine of our own contracted players out," Bowyer told Talksport. "They finish at the end of June and, unfortunately for us, three players have said that they're not going to play. "Lyle's one of them and that's tough for us, that's tough for me as the manager. "Lyle's a big player for us - a bit like [Troy] Deeney at Watford. You know, similar situation - when he plays, we win games. "Lyle has said that he's not going to play because of risk of injury. "Chris Solly the same, he said the same. Then we've got David Davis, who is on loan from Birmingham, and he says he doesn't want to come back and play games." Bowyer said that Taylor had told him he wants to play but that worrying about an injury affecting a move would mean he would not be the same player. Taylor joined the Addicks on a free transfer from AFC Wimbledon in July 2018 and scored 32 goals in 63 league appearances. "He is going to get a life-changing move," added Bowyer. "I was saying this a few months ago when this first happened, when we were talking about the contract problem. I thought this could be a problem because I know how well Lyle has done for us. "If it wasn't for Lyle, we wouldn't even be in this division. He was outstanding last season, he had a great start this season. "He's chose now not to come back and play to the end, so we have to move on because I've got a lot of players that are hungry.
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Post by rickyqpr on Jun 4, 2020 14:00:00 GMT
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Post by rickyqpr on Jun 4, 2020 14:31:57 GMT
English Football League: Meeting of clubs pushed back to 9 June Elite football in England has been suspended since 13 March A meeting of English Football League clubs to rubber-stamp proposals on how to end a season early because of coronavirus has been moved to Tuesday. Clubs had been due to meet on Monday to vote on a framework approved by the EFL board, which includes keeping promotion, relegation and play-offs. Alternative ideas have also been submitted by some EFL sides. Teams in League Two have already indicated they wish to end the season, but League One sides remain undecided. The Championship has set a provisional restart date of 20 June. Promotion and relegation to remain if seasons curtailed It is understood the meeting has been pushed back 24 hours because clubs were given voting papers on Wednesday and five days are required before an EGM can take place. "The EFL Board met today and considered a number of proposals submitted by EFL clubs in respect of proposed amendments to EFL regulations in order to determine what will happen in the event the 2019-20 season is curtailed in any EFL division," an EFL statement said. "This now brings an end to a comprehensive consultation phase and clubs have today received formal notice of the meeting which will now take place on Tuesday, 9 June. "At that meeting clubs will consider a number of different proposals from both clubs and the board of the EFL." www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52914059
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