Garel: RSPL clubs could vote to extend season

Premier League Club’s Association (PLCA) general manager Pat Garel says that she doesn’t foresee a situation in which the current Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season is declared null and void as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has since last week reached Jamaica’s shores.

Following the first two confirmed cases of the virus, PLCA vice chairman Carvel Stewart announced a postponement of all Match day 30 games which were set for last weekend. They include the rescheduled game between Humble Lion and Waterhouse and tonight’s Monday night encounter between Waterhouse and Mount Pleasant. Garel said that a meeting is expected to be held tomorrow to decide the way forward. Jamaica has now joined many leagues around the world in facing similar questions as to how to end their 2019-2020 football campaigns. Options on the table, if the coronavirus persists, include extending the season or cancelling it all together. In England West Ham United’s vice chairman Karen Brady has suggested that their season be declared null and void and teams remain as they were at the beginning of last season.

But Garel in assessing the local situation believes that the clubs would not be in favour of taking such a drastic step. “[To cancel the season] is one I think the clubs wouldn’t be too happy. We see that kind of talk happening internationally and it’s not gaining any favour either with other leagues around the world,” Garel told The Gleaner. “I don’t know that the clubs from where they sit now especially because of how competitive this season has been … would go for that.”

While she underscored that she does not speak for all 12 clubs who may pose different perspectives on the issue, she says that the option of extending the season would be the most viable for consideration.

“I think that they would much prefer, although it is going to be a serious financial consideration, extending the league,” she said. “[But] we operate in a very serious democratic way and just like they did to decide on forgoing these match days, I think that they would also vote and the majority would carry on whatever position they decide.”

Dunbeholden manager Paul Christie says that the situation has not reached a scenario where cancelling the season is necessary but whatever action is taken will be in keeping with the sport’s best interest.

“This is new to us. We are learning as we go along,” he said. “We will take the best decision in the interest of football.”

Meanwhile Garel anticipates that the league’s suspension will extend to at least next weekend’s games in keeping with the government’s discouragement of public gatherings and the cancellation of event permits by Government agencies for 14 days.