Tanya Lee | A solution for the EPL

Of all the cancellations in the world of sport amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, I must admit I am a little tickled that after waiting 30 years for glory, Liverpool supporters now have to wait to see if they will, in fact, lift the English Premier League (EPL) trophy for the 2020 season.

There are nine rounds of fixtures left in the season, which have been suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus crisis as England continues to experience a lockdown. At this stage, a viable solution cannot be realistically discussed as it is still too early to assess what the next few months will look like across COVID-19 affected countries.

As a Manchester United supporter, on one hand, I would relish the idea of voiding the season, just to avoid handing Liverpool their first EPL title. But on the other hand, the fair-minded lass in me says that that would not be the right option for the Reds, who were in full speed like a runaway train towards the trophy. Bias aside, Liverpool are more deserving of being crowned champions than any team I have witnessed at this stage of the season, with a social distance of 25 points clear of their nearest rival, Manchester City.

The Premier League is keen on finishing the season as it has stated that it is committed to resuming football “as soon as it is safe and possible to do so”.

I suppose my consolation is that if the league is resumed, Manchester United would also have a chance at UEFA Champions League qualification. On the contrary, if this season is void, that becomes impossible as the use of last year’s result, and Manchester City’s ban by UEFA, would mean Arsenal get the Champions League nod for the upcoming season. That is not a favourable outcome for anyone but the Gunners.

PREMATURE END

Another possible scenario is to end the season based on current standings, however, that’s not desirable by any stretch to relegate teams to the lower division merely on the limitations presented by the COVID-19 crisis.

But let’s get back to the most likely scenario. For a resumed season this summer, the players are not likely to have any significant levels of fitness based on the lockdown. Some reports indicate that players have been asked to return to the training pitch at the end of May in preparation for a mid-June resumption of the league.

Italy has also reportedly earmarked training-resumption dates while German clubs are back in training as the Bundesliga anticipates a May start.

I believe that it may be best for the Premier League to create a new format just for this season, with just enough fixtures among the teams awaiting an outcome for trophy, qualification, or relegation. This, of course, would be free of fans, and serve as mere fixtures to be completed for decision-making purposes.

As for spectators, they will likely watch from the distance of their living rooms as medical experts predict that it will take some 18 months before most stadia may be back to full capacity.

Epidemiologist Zach Binney of Emory University says: “As a scientist, I hate to say I am ever 100 per cent sure about anything, but I am as close to 100 per cent as I have ever been that we cannot return to filled-to-capacity stadia until we have a vaccine. The best guess is 18 months, could be a little more, could be a little less.”

For the duration of 2020, it is unlikely that any mass gathering is on the cards given that there are still many within each population who would not have developed immunity. A gathering of even 11,000 at the smallest stadium at Bournemouth is still too large a gathering to ensure public safety.

The Premier League meets today. Still early days yet, but let’s see if a decision is arrived at. One Love.

Tanya Lee has over 10 years’ expertise as a Caribbean sports marketer and is also an athlete manager and publicist.