Premier
League clubs remain united in their desire to finish the season, but the
controversial proposal of completing the campaign by June 30 was not raised
in Friday's meeting.
All top-flight clubs were represented on the video call in which the primary
topic of conversation was a debate over models for completing the season.
The Premier League reiterated that the season will not resume until the
Government declares it is safe to do so.
No representative in attendance raised the idea of finishing the season by
June 30 and the issues of pay cuts and transfer windows were also not
debated.
A Premier League spokesperson said: "We are acutely aware of the distress
COVID-19 is causing and our thoughts are with all those directly affected by
the pandemic.
"In common with other businesses and industries, the Premier League and our
clubs are working through complex planning scenarios. We are actively
engaging with stakeholders, including broadcast partners, and our aim is to
ensure we are in a position to resume playing when it is safe to do so and
with the full support of the Government.
"The health and wellbeing of players, coaches, managers, club staff and
supporters are our priority and the League will only restart when medical
guidance allows.
"Today's shareholders' meeting provided an opportunity to discuss possible
scheduling models. It remains our objective to complete the 2019/20 season
but at this stage all dates are tentative while the impact of COVID-19
develops.
"In response to the pandemic, the Premier League, our clubs and players have
provided vital support for communities and the NHS and will continue to do
so after matches recommence."
'Something's got to give'
Before the meeting had concluded, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher told The
Football Show that hard decisions would need to be taken soon - and warned
that "something will have to give'" when a resumption is agreed.
"There have been a lot of 'semi-decisions' to buy time but I think very soon
we'll have to make decisions on this season and next season," said
Carragher.
"Something's got to give at some stage - maybe a competition this season or
next has to be taken out of the calendar to allow space because next season
may be a tighter timeframe. Right now, no one has given up anything but
eventually we'll need to make decisions and someone will lose out on
something."
Carra backs CL 'tournament' idea
UEFA is considering proposals which would see the Champions League final
being played on August 29, three months later than originally scheduled.
The Champions League final was due to take place at the Ataturk Olympic
Stadium in Istanbul on May 30 but, under one of the new proposals which UEFA
will discuss next week, the final would be moved to Saturday, August 29 at
the same venue.
Carragher has backed the idea of an alternative tournament format in August
to complete European competition.
"I said something will probably have to give and I've said previously that
cup competitions would be more at risk than leagues because when leagues
finish obviously impacts on next season," he said.
"I don't think there's any way you can have Champions League games in the
middle of leagues starting up in Europe because games will be so spaced
together to try and get the season done - over three or four weeks - that it
feels like European competition will have to have its own situation.
"With the season moving on a month or two, everything will get pushed back,
so when they talk about August, that wouldn't be the start of next season.
August would instead feel like the summer in football terms or the end of
the season when you might have a tournament. I think that would be a good
idea.
"But the longer this goes on and things get pushed back, something has to
give. The Euros is next summer we know so you almost have to work back from
that.
"Is it the FA Cup or Carabao Cup next season that gets pushed out, and you
move the Champions League (conclusion) to August and start next season in
September or October? I think the Champions League will be really difficult
to fit in in a normal format so a tournament could work really well."
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