'Leeds and West Brom promoted', '75 per cent chance season will be cancelled': What national reports are saying about coronavirus postponement

We take a closer look at some of the national reports following yesterday’s announcement, as governing bodies try to decipher what happens next.

Kaveh Solhekol (Sky Sports News)

In his latest column, Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol expressed there are real concerns about the conclusion of England’s domestic leagues.

“One senior source at a Premier League club says he believes there is a 75 per cent chance this season will not be completed,” he wrote.

“Speaking on condition of anonymity, he told Sky Sports News: "I can't see any chance we will be back in three weeks. This will go on for months and you wonder even about the start of next season.

"I'd say there is a 75 per cent chance the season will not be completed. There are huge questions to answer. Does anybody get promoted or relegated?

"Many clubs in all four divisions will struggle financially."

The Guardian

A report in the Guardian raised further doubts about the resumption of professional football in England.

“Senior administrators in football already accept that the postponement of the season due to coronavirus is very likely to last longer than the 3 and 4 April dates provisionally scheduled by the EFL and Premier League respectively for their competitions to resume,” it read.

“As the virus is not expected to peak in the UK until May or June and its spread is therefore projected to be still rising by the first weekend in April, a senior figure in the EFL said it is clear it will be impossible for matches to start then.

“Football, like governments, industries and the rest of societies around the world, is only beginning to contemplate the consequences of the infection, and the damage it is set to cause, before it has run its course.”

Simon Stone (BBC Sport)

BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone also admitted there could be lengthy ramifications following the coronavirusoutbreak.

When asked ‘could next season be delayed – and if so, to when?’ in a Q&A, Stone said: “Yes. And as long as is required.

“If the current season doesn't finish until the summer, there will need to be flexibility about when the next campaigns start.

"A Uefa source told me yesterday that nothing was off the table. Anything is possible."

The Times

In an interview with FA chairman Greg Clarke, the Times wrote:

“The FA chairman Greg Clarke has told the Premier League that he does not think the domestic football season will be completed, leading to fears of huge financial repercussions for the clubs.

“Clarke attended the emergency Premier League meeting in London yesterday, which concluded by suspending the Premier League, EFL, FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship until April 3 in response to a series of coronavirus cases across the game.

“The risk to the top flight, and indeed UEFA, of not completing the season is that it could jeopardise billions of pounds in TV money.”

Matt Slater (The Athletic)

When discussing what could happen next, Matt Slater from the Athletic claimed the football authorities are considering all options, while there are already plans to move Euro 2020.

The piece said: “The football authorities there have already revealed they are considering three options: declare the season null and void and start again in August; end the season now, dishing out the prizes, promotions and relegations on the basis of the current tables; or wait for the worst of the outbreak to pass and start playing again as soon as possible, perhaps with a series of play-offs to decide this season’s winners and losers.

“This debate is just starting in England but consensus is to wait and see, with the vast majority of clubs keen to complete the domestic fixture list, even if that means playing until July.

“The only thing currently stopping that — apart from a much graver health crisis than currently predicted — is Euro 2020. UEFA knows that and will move it. The Athletic has heard that the tournament’s suppliers have already been told to stop preparing for the tournament this summer and start thinking about how and when it can be squeezed in next summer.”

The Telegraph

Several proposals regarding promotion and relegation have already been mentioned, many of which would be controversial and have financial implications.

The Telegraph write: “Calling a halt to the season would be no less chaotic. That has resulted in discussions taking place inside some Premier League teams over proposals that could be put forward if the season could not be played to a conclusion. One would be to void the season, but there is an acceptance that would cause many of its own problems with Liverpool so close to winning the ­title.

“There would also be the issues of relegation and promotion from the Championship, together with Champions League qualification, which carry huge financial implications for the clubs involved.

“One proposal that could be made would be for the top two in the Championship, currently Leeds and West Brom, to be promoted and for 22 teams to compete in next season’s Premier League. The EFL Cup would be postponed for one year to allow extra space in the fixture list and five clubs, instead of three, would be relegated at the end of the season.”