FORMER LIVERPOOL FAVOURITE Jamie Carragher dismissed the suggestion that the 2019-20 Premier League season should be declared null and void due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The English top flight ground to a halt on Friday following confirmation that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi were among the thousands worldwide who had caught the illness.
With nine games to go, it is still unclear when the Premier League will be able to restart, with a projected date of early April dismissed as unrealistic by some experts.
Karren Brady, West Ham United’s vice-chairman, believes the entire campaign should be ended with no teams declared champions or relegated .
“No escaping the fact now, football in England is entering its most devastating period in 75 years,” she wrote for The Sun.
“There is no dodging the possibility that all levels in the EFL, as well as the Premier League, will have to be cancelled and this season declared null and void because if the players can’t play the games can’t go ahead.
“The PL hopes that an interlude of three weeks from today will enable it to restart but that may well be dreamland.
“So what if the league cannot be finished? As games in both the PL and in the EFL are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void.
“Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?
Brady, who did add that the decision would be a “huge blow” for Liverpool, 25 points clear at the top of the table as they chase their first title since 1990, attracted ample criticism for her views from irate Reds fans.
Carragher was predictably unamused by the proposal and called for the Premier League to pick up where it left off whenever conditions were appropriate.
“Have a look at Klopp’s comments compared to Karren Brady’s,” he said, accompanied by a facepalm emoji.
“What’s fair is to finish the season for teams in every league when the football is allowed to start again.
“The football authorities found a way to put a World Cup in the middle of a season so I’m sure they can sort next season out.”
Brady’s comments come with West Ham languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, level on points with Watford in 17th and Bournemouth in 18th.
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Looks like Barca will run away from the league
@Jordo: with the league even
@Jordo: or from
Watched this and the level of football was incredible, the movement and passing was breath-taking, how did La Liga get this good? And I still don’t quite know what to make of Marcelo; he’s such a cheating pric* but he plays the game with such verve and energy and some of the flicks and stuff he does is outrageous for a full back.
@Noel Ryan: where have you been for the last 25 years. Spain has always been the league for high level football. Well, ever since Serie A started to slide in the 2000’s
Poor Ronaldo fanatics. It’s over. And Messi wins next year’s ballon d’or. And captains Argentina to world cup glory, thus cementing his place as the GOAT !!
@Is mise muc gránna: you’re the first one to bring in Ronaldo into the discussion Marcus. If it’s not Mourinho you’re having a go at then it’s Ronaldo. Do you not like Portuguese people or what’s your beef?
@Sloop John G: he’s only 7 years old sloop. He still says brillo for fcuk sakes
Toothless stuff from both teams
Stupid article…. It’s November….. N-O-V-E-M-B-E-R.
@Graham: T-E-N P-O-I-N-T-S though, even in November 10 points is an awful lot to claw back in that league. especially with the patchy form both Madrid sides have shown thus far, and Valencia are obviously closer to Barca but won’t keep that form up. Not saying the league is over myself, but it’s definitely worth having a conversation about it, therefore validating the article.
@Brian: Barcelona have not played the top guys yet. 10 points is big, but very catchable…. 4 draws is 8 points dropped…. up to others to take advantage…..
@Brian: if article said something other than being out of the race….
@Graham: Barca played Atletico away and got the same result as Real. They play Valencia away next, that could reel them back in but if they beat the 2nd placed side emphatically expect this kind of conversation to heighten.
@Brian: of course. If Barcelona put away the close rivals, it’s a different story, but right now, too early I think.