News

Plans for remainder of FPL season to be decided on Thursday

The future of the 2019/20 Premier League season is set to be reviewed at another emergency meeting next week.

The top division of England’s football pyramid, as well as all EFL leagues, has been suspended until April 4 in light of the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom.

The Premier League postponed all matches from Gameweeks 30 and 31 on Friday and explained that there would be further decisions made about the rest of the campaign in due course.

Thursday, March 19, has been pencilled in for their next emergency meeting on the subject, so Fantasy Premier League managers may want to stay tuned for further updates then.

However, there are a number of other key dates for our diaries before then.

Tuesday will see UEFA host a video conference with all 55 national federations under its jurisdiction to decide the future of the Champions League, Europa League and, crucially Euro 2020.

The fate of this summer’s major international tournament is expected to hold the key to what options Europe’s top leagues will have when attempting to complete the 2019/20 season.

Fantasy managers should also pay close attention to any updates coming from UK prime minister Boris Johnson in the coming days.

It was reported on Saturday morning that the British government are contemplating a u-turn on their decision not to ban mass gatherings, such as sporting fixtures.

If such legislation does come into force in the coming days, it could well extend beyond the Premier League’s current return-date of April 4, although, at this stage, we do not know what the government’s exact plans will be.

Furthermore, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty claimed that the peak of COVID-19 outbreak in the UK is likely to occur in May and June.

Meanwhile, another FPL name was added to the list of those that had tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, this time Wolves forward Patrick Cutrone (£5.5m), currently on loan at Italian side Fiorentina.

That news came on a surreal day for Fantasy managers and football fans worldwide, as we were left with no matches to watch other than non-league fixtures.

Southampton made light of the situation on their official club Twitter, attempting to play a game of noughts and crosses with Gameweek 30 opponent Norwich City.

The Canaries’ media team were conspicuous by their absence but Manchester City dropped by to accept Southampton’s invitation of a competitive match.

Naturally, the two sides drew their inaugural noughts and crosses bout.

Elsewhere, Saturday was a day for the executive members of football clubs in the Premier League to have their say.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber was one of those, who expressed his concern over when the Premier League could resume.

“We’ve got several teams in self-isolation, which makes it difficult to think about that date. Those players have not just got to self-isolate for 14 days, they’ve got to get themselves close to match fitness again, which could take another seven to 14 days. So we’ve got a number of complexities here, which go way beyond thinking of the finances.” – Paul Barber

Meanwhile, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady caused some controversy as she made early claims that the 2019/20 Premier League season would have to be declared null and void.

“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.” – Karren Brady

Also, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has called on supporters to do everything they can to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“I appeal to our supporters to follow our lead, and to stay as safe as possible during what will no doubt be a very testing time. Please don’t underestimate the threat of this virus, to you or those around you, and employ best practice to limit the spread, including good hygiene and proper social distancing, which are both key.” – Jeff Shi

In better news, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who was the first Premier League figure to contract COVID-19, has revealed that he is doing much better.

“Thanks for your words and support. We’re all facing a huge and unprecedented challenge. Everyone’s health is all that matters right now. Protect each other by following the guidelines. We’ll come through this together.” – Mikel Arteta

For more details on how the recent suspension of the top-flight will affect Fantasy Premier League CLICK HERE.

For the official NHS advice on what to do if you think you or someone you know has COVID-19, CLICK HERE.

630 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    No Price Changes!

    1. Kulusexy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Ta mate 🙂 gl!

    2. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Woohoo. Cheers TM

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Cheers TM.

  2. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    This is going to be one long page

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      New article in less than 3 hours about chips.

      1. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        Hmmm. Could do with with fish and chips

  3. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    First couple of day without football or any sport for that matter was tough, on a positive note there's a lady in the other room, apparently she's my wife...she seems nice

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Apparently? 😕

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Original 😛

    3. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      🙂 🙂 try talking to her

    4. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      🙂

  4. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    So I gather that as most of us who didnt do any transfers last GW have 2 FT's in hand.

    If I use one of my FT to do Ings > Woods will I have 2 FT's for GW32 when EPL is due to start back up?

    Or is everyone just not using there transfers full stop until further notice?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      I used 1 of 2 last week and will probably do the same again this week. And yeah if you use 1 of 2 this week then you have 2 for 32, I seriously doubt 32 happens fwiw but hey, don't wanna be letting FTs go to waste!

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Yes to 2 FTs. Probably using 1 and saving one this GW.

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Thanks for the replies.

      I'll use one to do my Ings > Woods then and have 2 more for GW32.

  5. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    There’s only been 4 new cases in China. So it sounds like when we reach our ‘peak’ there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe the season can get finished at some point

    1. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Chinese have taken far more stringent measures than UK. Drop in cases doesn't happen by chance

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      i wouldn’t read too much in to this, all it needs is a few cases to break out and boom !

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Behind closed doors is the best possibility if UK does get affected like China, Italy & Spain.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        You'd of thought given our actions(lack), packed cities etc that we'll be affected as badly if not worse than Italy and Spain but that is part of the 'plan

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Comparing the UK to China doesn’t work

      They took stringent measures whereas the UK is pretty much refusing to test suspected cases and the authorities have little idea about how the disease is spreading. Every reason to suppose it’ll spread much deeper here than there. The refusal to test except in extremis means that the situation in the UK is likely grossly understated.

      1. thomashl
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        That’s so unreal to hear. The guardian claimed that the UK outbreak will last until May ‘21.

        Christ, the sooner peoples movement are somewhat restricted, the sooner spread will be reduced

    5. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      If i understood correctly, china and UK are taking entirely different aproaches to resolving coronavirus. China uses strict quarantine regime to contain virus, whereas UK uses neoliberal approach to build collective imunity, so we can expect the virus to be more agressive and longer-lasting in UK than it was in China

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        It looks like UK's Coronavirus strategy is vastly different to most other countries.
        I think they are gambling big time.

        1. Silecro
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          yes, im in croatia and we are taking something like china-lite approach, rarely seen anyone uses UK strategy, but we'll see, maybe they're smarter than all of us

    6. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      You really believe that? If China had been open and honest other countries could have helped/prepared better.

    7. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      stay away from the light

  6. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    2 fts, I can do
    Aurier and Rico > Alonso and Dann
    Thoughts?

  7. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Saviours of sanity right now:

    1) Russian League
    2) Turkish League
    3) Booze

  8. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Just noticed that this gameweek finishes at 7:00pm on Friday .... better be sure to make 1 FT before then!

    1. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Good thing you said that, I almost forgot

  9. Taffer
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Where are all the 'but its just the flu/ its a conspiracy/ something else is going on' geniuses from early last week?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      It's 'I told you so' week'.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Less of these people around by the day

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Highly educated people were making posts like that all over social media tbf. Guessing they feel a bit silly now!

  10. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Is the UK taking any measures to reduce social contact between people at all?

    If they haven’t then they could just postpone the PL season further sooner rather than later, as it will spread exponentially throughout the population. The sooner you enforce some sort of restriction, the sooner the impact. Maybe Boris is just thinking about the economy

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      That's exactly it, greed, they're considering using the herd immunity approach which is unproven for a novel virus that scientists still no little about. Nobody even knows if people can get it more than once etc. Worrying times for the UK.

      1. thomashl
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        That’s unheard of... wow. I feel for you guys, stay safe, reduce contact and wash hands like crazy. Norway has been in a lockdown-like state for a few days now

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          I live in China but am much more worried for other countries now. At least my home country (ROI) have cancelled schools, all sporting events and most bars etc are closing from today... better a little late than never!

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            https://www.newstalk.com/news/covid19-pubs-asked-to-close-from-sunday-night-in-ireland-983397

            All pubs asked to close including hotel bars. But you know yourself, same pubs that you could get a pint in on Good Friday in the old days or on Christmas Day will bend that rule. Supermarkets will be fun at 10:30 this morning with controlled numbers of shoppers and no pubs open for Paddy's Day tomorrow.

      2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        Agreed.

        https://www.immunology.org/news/bsi-open-letter-government-sars-cov-2-outbreak-response

        British Society for Immunology members are acutely aware of the implications that the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has for global public health. Following recent announcements from the UK Government on the steps they are taking to handle this outbreak, our community has voiced significant questions about the strategy proposed.

        1. thomashl
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          Insane. Hope they’ll have legislation in place soon.

          People should take the matters into their own hands and stay at home!

          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            Does not look too good.

            Agreed. You have to take responsibility for your own live.

      3. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        *know little about

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      No, only Government official advice is to self isolate if you have symptoms.

      Unofficially people are social distancing, working from home. Not visiting elderly, not leaving kids with them.

  11. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    they aren't, most people still aren't bothered in the uk to be honest

    the govt approach is good in theory but it's a lot of guess work

    without much testing they have no idea how fast its spreading

    1000 cases could well be 100000

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      fail reply to above

  12. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Coronavirus has now officially been named a 'natural disaster' in South Africa.

    I do not think it really matters now where the coronavirus started, where and when it will end is the scary part...