Premier League Clubs Open to Neutral Venues

 

English Premier League clubs have stated that they are ready to play the rest of the 2019-20 English Premier League fixture at neutral grounds only if the relegation is removed.

The clubs met on Friday via video conferencing meeting, and it was disclosed that the only way to finish up the season is to make use of ten neutral grounds.

While the majority of the clubsides agreed to this, although teams at the bottom end of the standings were uncomfortable with such settings as they feel it will be unfair, especially with the presence of the risk of relegation.

However, there are ninety-two fixtures still to be played in the 2019-20 season, and all clubs have shown a commitment to playing all the games when it is safe to do so.

Furthermore, games may happen behind closed doors as it may not be financially healthy to wait until when matches can be played with fans.

Bottom placed clubs believe that playing at a neutral ground, behind closed doors, and with the uncertainty of players contracts, especially those whose contracts end on the 30th of June, it will affect the outcome of results and attitude of players compared to the executed games in the season.

“The club fully appreciate why playing behind closed doors is very likely to be a necessary compromise to play our remaining games.” “At this critical point in the season, playing matches in neutral venues has, in our view, potential to have a material effect on the integrity of the competition.” Brighton chief executive Paul Barber was quoted on BBC

The league has been on suspension since the 13th of March due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Premier League clubs will again sit to discuss again after the UK government reviews the lockdown on the 7th of May.

 

 

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu