So the Premier League is considering showing some behind closed door games on free to view TV. If this does go ahead and of course it's subject to Government decisions and guidelines I wonder which games will be selected to watch for free. Will those who have already subscribed to Sky, BT etc receive a refund if a game is shown for free? 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52387971

The Premier League is considering making some behind-closed-doors fixtures available free-to-air when the season restarts, the culture secretary has said.

Oliver Dowden has said he had been having "productive talks" with governing bodies from across British sport on restarting following the coronavirus shutdown.

He said the resumption hinged on passing the government's five tests as well as meeting social distancing guidelines.

Dowden said it was also important to send out a message that was "consistent" with that being given to the public.

Football is suspended indefinitely across most of Europe because of the continued spread of Covid-19.

• Return 'will be behind closed doors'
• What should happen to the Premier League season?
• What is the state of play in Europe's major leagues?

Discussing how sports would be broadcast if held behind closed doors, as is expected to be the case initially, he told the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee: "I have said to the Premier League it wouldn't send the best signal if they were one of the first major sports to resume behind closed doors and the public at large couldn't have access to it."

He acknowledged that sports were "reliant on the revenue they derive" from broadcasting deals.

But he said that there were ways sport could have "elements of protecting revenue from broadcasting but also looking at ways of increasing access".

The Premier League was "considering" the issue, he said.

Liverpool v Atletico Madrid and Cheltenham Festival

Dowden defended the timing of the UK government's ban on mass gatherings, days after the Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

"Throughout all of this we have based what we did on the scientific evidence we received both from Sage [Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies] and from the medical officers. I spoke to them twice and they met with the sporting bodies.

"The analysis was that in these events the risk is the people that are immediately in the row in front of you, the row behind you and either side. Now that risk is as great or as little as it would be if you were watching it in the pub down the road on a big screen, if you were going on public transport to get to the event.

"So the advice that we were given was that, to act consistently, it might be appropriate at a point in the progress of the disease to ban all those sorts of activities and indeed that is what we did.

"But there wasn't a case for singling out mass gatherings from those other things. That is the approach we took."

What stage are return to sport discussions at?

Dowden said his department has been having "constructive" and "quite productive" conversations with sports bodies.

Discussions have also taken place with the police, Public Health England and local government authorities about how sport might be able to return safely.

Dowden said that this was "preparatory work" to see what would work "in practice", rather than getting ready for any imminent developments.

On the public perception that the return of sport would produce, Dowden said: "I would just want to make sure that the signals we were sending from that were consistent with the signals that we were sending to the public more broadly.

"So I think it is sensible at this stage to have the engagement, to think through it, but I've been clear in all the conversations I've had that all of this is without prejudice so let's do the work and then we will make the decision at the appropriate point - clearly, number one, in accordance with the scientific evidence."

Proposed Newcastle takeover

John Nicolson MP asked Dowden if he would intervene in the proposed £300m takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi-backed consortium, citing concerns about "Saudi Arabia's record" regarding human rights.

Nicolson referred to the "Football Association's fit and proper person test", but the relevant test is the Premier League's owners and directors test.

It is understood that the Premier League is currently carrying out the necessary paperwork with regards to this test and the proposed takeover.

Speculating that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which is behind the proposed takeover, were to pass that test, Nicolson asked: "In that eventuality would you be able to intervene and would you consider doing so?"

Dowden replied: "I think it is a matter for them to carry out. It is a matter for them. I am content that they should carry out that test."

The season is already irregular, look at how much time has passed since the last game! Void!

With all the chaos and all the death it’s difficult to see this football season resuming. People have said that we need to resume to uphold the integrity of the game.

Sadly, football lots its integrity years ago.

In the midst of all this chaos those pushing for the season to restart are driven by one thing - money.

As a nation it’s going to take us years to recover from this trauma. Just getting next season to start on time would be a challenge given the circumstances and probably what the football authorities should be focusing on now. 

Proffessor Whitey said this afternoon and basically confirming what many thought, no easy way out of this crises until vaccine or drugs are found, and they won't be available this calendar year, so some forms of social distancing will carry on until then, as is the only way to contain virus and keep deaths lower, Foreign secretary also stating lockdown can't be lifted to soon and risk a 2nd peak, are the premier League seriously thinking they can complete this season? I'm losing track of these meetings and dates they keep having to consider season. Wrapped up in their own self importance, as I and many have mentioned on here, I bumped into our postie this morning whose a Pompey season ticket holder, he said hes not missing the football half as much as he thought and even though Pompey are going for promotion and had their Wembley day out in Johnstone's cup postponed he even said need to void season, seems Football is in for a very hard time like many things in the coming months and years 

Edited April 22, 20206 yr by chi blue

10 minutes ago, chi blue said:

Proffessor Whitey said this afternoon and basically confirming what many thought, no easy way out of this crises until vaccine or drugs are found, and they won't be available this calendar year, so some forms of social distancing will carry on until then, as is the only way to contain virus and keep deaths lower, Foreign secretary also stating lockdown can't be lifted to soon and risk a 2nd peak, are the premier League seriously thinking they can complete this season? I'm losing track of these meetings and dates they keep having to consider season. Wrapped up in their own self importance, as I and many have mentioned on here, I bumped into our postie this morning whose a Pompey season ticket holder, he said hes not missing the football half as much as he thought and even though Pompey are going for promotion and had their Wembley day out in Johnstone's cup postponed he even said need to void season, seems Football is in for a very hard time like many things in the coming months and years 

IMO a vaccine won't work, reading today over 30 mutations from the outbreak already and there are always sensitive people that develop full-blown symptoms from vaccines and they would what for 14 days be infectious before they realised..........................

1 hour ago, The Swan said:

With all the chaos and all the death it’s difficult to see this football season resuming. People have said that we need to resume to uphold the integrity of the game.

Sadly, football lots its integrity years ago.

In the midst of all this chaos those pushing for the season to restart are driven by one thing - money.

As a nation it’s going to take us years to recover from this trauma. Just getting next season to start on time would be a challenge given the circumstances and probably what the football authorities should be focusing on now. 

 

5 minutes ago, chi blue said:

Proffessor Whitey said this afternoon and basically confirming what many thought, no easy way out of this crises until vaccine or drugs are found, and they won't be available this calendar year, so some forms of social distancing will carry on until then, as is the only way to contain virus and keep deaths lower, Foreign secretary also stating lockdown can't be lifted to soon and risk a 2nd peak, are the premier League seriously thinking they can complete this season? I'm losing track of these meetings and dates they keep having to consider season. Wrapped up in their own self importance, as I and many have mentioned on here, I bumped into our postie this morning whose a Pompey season ticket holder, he said hes not missing the football half as much as he thought and even though Pompey are going for promotion and had their Wembley day out in Johnstone's cup postponed he even said need to void season, seems Football is in for a very hard time like many things in the coming months and years 

Agree, it's going to take years to recover from this trauma. Some people may find it difficult to attend events and places where there are large gatherings. @The Swan You make a great point about football losing integrity. The longer the authorities keep on having meetings, the lower the respect they will be given by fans. They should have the guts to say that the season is over. I'm sure that will be received warmly by the Government and Health authorities who have enough on their plates. Football really needs to get away from this notion of being important.

@chi blue As we've both posted before, we're not missing the football as much as we thought we would. What your postie who is a Pompey fan is right.  A chance for Promotion for Pompey would be great especially given the last few years for that club. Yes, football is in for a very hard time but then so is everyone else and football is way down the list of priorities.

We keep reading of football authorities consulting stake holders and yet not once have I read of them consulting supporters groups. It would be interesting to know the response if they did. Perhaps the authorities should contact ST holders and members for views. I reckon they would discover that a lot want this season cancelled.

 

Champions League and Europa League finals likely to be played in August - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52386601

UEFA being naive in the hope that the Champions League and Europa League can be completed in August. What planet do these people live on?

7 hours ago, The Swan said:

With all the chaos and all the death it’s difficult to see this football season resuming. People have said that we need to resume to uphold the integrity of the game.

Sadly, football lots its integrity years ago.

In the midst of all this chaos those pushing for the season to restart are driven by one thing - money.

As a nation it’s going to take us years to recover from this trauma. Just getting next season to start on time would be a challenge given the circumstances and probably what the football authorities should be focusing on now. 

Great points.  Reality is a 2020/21 season will be an achievement right now.  Can't see games kicking off in August, and think it will be at least a year until stadiums are anywhere near what we were used to seeing.  Perhaps an entire season behind closed doors.

6 hours ago, Boyne said:

Champions League and Europa League finals likely to be played in August - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52386601

UEFA being naive in the hope that the Champions League and Europa League can be completed in August. What planet do these people live on?

Planes flying in and  out countries transporting footballers to play games in just a few weeks time, the Olympics the biggest, most historic, and iconic sporting event on the planet is cancelled in July/August, football authorities starting to become embarrassing now, let it go you idiots, let's get over this and wait for a new season, when ever it will be. 

Seen something on another platform that got me thinking, in the event of a void are fans entitled to a refund as they attended games that didn't technically happen?

31 minutes ago, chi blue said:

Planes flying in and  out countries transporting footballers to play games in just a few weeks time, the Olympics the biggest, most historic, and iconic sporting event on the planet is cancelled in July/August, football authorities starting to become embarrassing now, let it go you idiots, let's get over this and wait for a new season, when ever it will be. 

You're right mate, the football authorities are starting to become embarrassing now. They seem to believe that football is immune from what is happening and will come through this crisis unscathed. That's not going to happen. Other businesses around the world will sadly - and some already have - will fail and football clubs will go under. The other day I spoke to a Southend United fan and he thinks that his club will go under. I live in South-East London and Charlton is the nearest top flight club to me. In the local press, some fans have commented that Charlton could fail.  I know a few Charlton fans but I haven't seen them since the lockdown. I'd love to know what they think of Charlton's situation.

It strikes me that the footballing authorities only want to please one other group and that's the broadcasters. They haven't consulted the fans for an opinion. It would be great if they did a survey of fans to seek their opinions. Fans have a lot more to worry about than football. I can see some fans not going back to matches. It could be that they can't afford it; are reluctant to attend large gatherings; or may have lost a friend or family member. One thing I'm not looking forward to when and I go back to the Bridge is there are people I sit near to are no longer with us. Governments will have the final say and as you say, don't want planes flying in and out of countries. I can see flights being limited to essential people lasting for months.

The analogy with the Olympics is a great one. The authorities tried to hold out but quickly saw sense - a lot of pressure from competitors and rescheduled the event until next year. Football should follow the example of the Olympics and scrap football until it's safe to do so and if that includes next season's CL and EL, so be it.

A big wake up call for football.

11 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

IMO a vaccine won't work, reading today over 30 mutations from the outbreak already and there are always sensitive people that develop full-blown symptoms from vaccines and they would what for 14 days be infectious before they realised..........................

"However, this is a lab study, a description of possibilities, it does not address how the virus moves in the human population where many factors, usually summed up as virus “fitness”, apply at the same time.

"Virus tracking so far has not indicated any trend towards a version 2 of the virus.

“Rather than get distracted with potential mutants we should remain focused on detection and treatment of the virus as we find it now.

53 minutes ago, Argo said:

Seen something on another platform that got me thinking, in the event of a void are fans entitled to a refund as they attended games that didn't technically happen?

Eh, how did anyone think of that. They happened, they went to the game, they watched the game. 

Just now, dkw said:

Eh, how did anyone think of that. They happened, they went to the game, they watched the game. 

That was my initial reaction (still is) but at the same time arguments will be made that a void has to be all in or not atall and if results get wiped of the record they in technical terms didn't happen.

21 minutes ago, Argo said:

That was my initial reaction (still is) but at the same time arguments will be made that a void has to be all in or not atall and if results get wiped of the record they in technical terms didn't happen.

But you still had your entertainment.  You pay to see a match, nit to be part of a season's statistics.

Just because a seasons conclusion is void it doesn't mean that all records & games which happened will be erased from the books

28 minutes ago, Argo said:

That was my initial reaction (still is) but at the same time arguments will be made that a void has to be all in or not atall and if results get wiped of the record they in technical terms didn't happen.

Erm, but they actually did happen, thats completely different to the results and league being voided. So to extend this, should the players, staff, catering, stewards, programme sellers, merchandisers etc all give their money back?

Honestly, this is a ridiculous view point.

Edited April 23, 20206 yr by dkw

If we ended season right now with the points and positions we are in there shouldn't be too much of a problem. We are not winning the league but we reach CL.

I really don't like the biased view of nulling the results. Liverpool for me is very deserved champion. Who ever wishes nulling the season should grow a bit as a person. I know it would be a laugh of a lifetime if it happened for other teams fans but we shouldn't be childish.

I still hope we can finish the season with empty stadiums and play at least most of the remaining fixtures.

2 hours ago, Argo said:

Seen something on another platform that got me thinking, in the event of a void are fans entitled to a refund as they attended games that didn't technically happen?

If that's the case, then there's a lot of games back in the 80's that I wished hadn't happened!! Might have to contact uncle Ken for a refund! 

8 minutes ago, evissy said:

If we ended season right now with the points and positions we are in there shouldn't be too much of a problem. We are not winning the league but we reach CL.

I really don't like the biased view of nulling the results. Liverpool for me is very deserved champion. Who ever wishes nulling the season should grow a bit as a person. I know it would be a laugh of a lifetime if it happened for other teams fans but we shouldn't be childish.

I still hope we can finish the season with empty stadiums and play at least most of the remaining fixtures.

I think back at the beginning of March when this started to get talked about, and we probably didn't think there was a possibility of a void season, many of us me included jumped on the void bandwagon just to laugh at Liverpool, but as the weeks have gone by and a sense of reality (something the football authorities haven't got) has kicked in, voiding the season to spite the dippers hasn't even crossed my mind, void the season and let them be champions (they deserve it) I haven't a problem, as we have all said, football isn't important at present, on a slight side note, this forum is important though, keeps me sane in these lockdown days, I switch between doing jobs round the house, this forum, and a book on pop band Madness.

56 minutes ago, evissy said:

If we ended season right now with the points and positions we are in there shouldn't be too much of a problem. We are not winning the league but we reach CL.

I really don't like the biased view of nulling the results. Liverpool for me is very deserved champion. Who ever wishes nulling the season should grow a bit as a person. I know it would be a laugh of a lifetime if it happened for other teams fans but we shouldn't be childish.

I still hope we can finish the season with empty stadiums and play at least most of the remaining fixtures.

How do you play a football match and maintain a 2-metre safe spacing distance?

2 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

How do you play a football match and maintain a 2-metre safe spacing distance?

Ask Messi he knows.

43 minutes ago, chi blue said:

I think back at the beginning of March when this started to get talked about, and we probably didn't think there was a possibility of a void season, many of us me included jumped on the void bandwagon just to laugh at Liverpool, but as the weeks have gone by and a sense of reality (something the football authorities haven't got) has kicked in, voiding the season to spite the dippers hasn't even crossed my mind, void the season and let them be champions (they deserve it) I haven't a problem, as we have all said, football isn't important at present, on a slight side note, this forum is important though, keeps me sane in these lockdown days, I switch between doing jobs round the house, this forum, and a book on pop band Madness.

Back in March I was making jokes about Liverpool not winning the league. But now I don’t care. They have been the best team by a mile. If people want to give them the title, then fine. I just can’t see how this season will finish and we will have our work cut out just to make sure we start next season when we normally do. Olympics cancelled, European Championships cancelled, English Premier League – doing all that it can to keep going despite all that is happening around it. Perhaps a bit like Boris a few months back – in denial.

58 minutes ago, evissy said:

If we ended season right now with the points and positions we are in there shouldn't be too much of a problem. We are not winning the league but we reach CL.

I really don't like the biased view of nulling the results. Liverpool for me is very deserved champion. Who ever wishes nulling the season should grow a bit as a person. I know it would be a laugh of a lifetime if it happened for other teams fans but we shouldn't be childish.

I still hope we can finish the season with empty stadiums and play at least most of the remaining fixtures.

Yes, Liverpool would win the league and although it would be a laugh to see them miss out there are far more important things to worry about. Chelsea is in CL place at the moment but we could easily miss if the season starts again. I don't think it's childish to see the league is made null and void when the risks of playing matches behind closed doors are too high.

You mention about playing at least most of the fixtures. Where do you draw the line about how many games to play? Only playing half of the remaining games still doesn't resolve any issues.

If it's a choice between football and staying safe, the latter wins hands down all the time. Football even though it could be changed e.g. fewer clubs and lower attendances will be played in the future but lost lives cannot be brought back. It's all down to priorities in the end.

 

37 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

How do you play a football match and maintain a 2-metre safe spacing distance?

David Luiz is a master at this defending corner kicks.