News

All eyes on UEFA emergency meeting to decide future of European football

Fantasy Premier League managers should learn more about the future of the football season today.

UEFA is holding an emergency meeting with representatives of European football federations, clubs and leagues to make decisions about the football schedule in the coming months.

Sport on the continent has been brought to a standstill over the last fortnight following the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Premier League was also affected as numbers of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom rose sharply last week.

That led to a postponement of all matches between now and April 4, with Gameweeks 30 and 31 of FPL reduced to completely fixture-less Blank Gameweeks.

Today’s UEFA meeting is a key piece of the puzzle that will pave the way for when the Premier League could return.

Conducted via video conference call and led by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, the meeting will take the views from all 55 of UEFA’s member associations on a number of issues including the Champions League, Europa League and Euro 2020. Final decisions will then be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee.

Euro 2020 is the tournament that hangs most in the balance at this current point in time. It was supposed to be played in 12 European cities between June and July – but the UK’s chief medical adviser Professor Chris Witty believes this country’s peak COVID-19 outbreak period could occur during this time.

Either way, the absence of Euro 2020 from the football calendar is looking to be the likeliest way to help Europe’s leagues find time to complete their 2019/20 seasons.

Not surprisingly, Italy, which has been harder hit by the coronavirus outbreak than most European nations, is set to support the postponement of the upcoming major international tournament.

“We will propose to UEFA the delay of the European Championships. We will try to get to the end of this [domestic] championship because it is fairer and more correct after the many investments and sacrifices of our clubs.” – Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation

The completion of this season’s Champions League and Europa League will also be up for discussion and could have an impact on domestic football in this country.

It has been suggested that each of these competitions may be finalised using a mini-tournament in order to ease fixture congestion – which could see one-legged quarter-finals and semi-finals. Either way, we should know more by the end of today.

Regardless of what gets decided by UEFA on Tuesday, Fantasy managers will still have to stay tuned into the news until at least Thursday, when the Premier League their next emergency meeting.

Using what decisions have been made by UEFA, the Premier League will know more about what options they have to complete the 2019/20 season.

“It is most essential that domestic competitions can be completed this season, to limit the negative impact for the entire football ecosystem. This crisis is also causing very serious sporting and financial consequences to all parties involved in the game. We are ready to cooperate with UEFA and other stakeholders to find common solutions to all these issues in a constructive way, including the international club competitions and Euro 2020.” – European Leagues body statement

There was a further update from Boris Johnson on Monday afternoon which placed further obstacles in the way of a Premier League return.

In the first of his daily press conferences, the UK Prime Minister advised against unnecessary social contact of all kinds and attending mass gatherings, specifically referencing sports fixtures, which will no longer have the required medical help from the NHS.

“We need people to start working from home and you should avoid pubs, clubs and other such social venues. It remains true that risks of transmission at mass gatherings such as sporting events are relatively low. But as we advise against unnecessary social contact of all kinds, it’s right that we should extend that advice to mass gatherings. We’ve also got to ensure that we have the critical workers we need that might otherwise (be engaged at sporting events). We will no longer be supporting mass gatherings with emergency workers in the way that we normally would.” – Boris Johnson

For the latest NHS advice on coronavirus, please check their official website HERE.

296 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Karren Brady forgot to put on her adult daipers this morning. Very messy situation.

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    There is no way they will cancel EPL season now

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      tell it to coronavirus

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Moving the Euro's creates a a window, not a cure for a pandemic. 🙄

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Didnt say that will be played, just not cancelled.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 days ago

          It was the implication

          1. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 days ago

            I think they will declare champions in all leagues.

            Dont think so there will be football until september at least

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 11 days ago

              Don’t see any ‘declaring of champions’.

              Liverpool’s first title in 30 years, and Jurgens going to get the train down to FA HQ in London to pick up the trophy and a box of medals for everyone. Romantic.

              1. BobB
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 11 days ago

                No-one will be awarded medals: nothing will have been won

                1. HamezMace
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 11 days ago

                  That’s what I’m saying.

                  They won’t be declared champions, or declared as relegated.

                  It either finishes with games played (whenever that’ll be) or it’s void.

  3. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Europa League Final: 24th of June 2020
    Uefa Champions League Final: 27th of June 2020

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Have they given dates for the QFs and SFs of these competitions?
      Seems strange to announce a final date when there are other matches to be played before then

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        because its the final date that it can be played. If at this date it will be impossible there will be no final.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 days ago

          As I’ve said before, I’ll be amazed if either of these tournaments are finished this year, or this season rather.

          Priority must go to domestic league completion.

          1. StoichkovFPL
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 days ago

            As I see it no sport event will (should) finish this season but one factor is important - money so everything is possible.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      So all domestic leagues will have time to finish a week before the Europa final is what I am thinking.

    3. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Problem is that on the 31st of June is the date when contract of many footballers finish so they put the last possible dates before than.
      They forget one thing - coronavirus doesnt care.

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        30 of June obv

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      If they could get the pending games re-started again in the next 8 weeks we could see this season finished yet

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Its all wishful thinking/planning

    5. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Spoiler alert: The UEL final will not be played on the 24th of June 2020 and the UCL final will not be played 27th of June 2020

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        I think the same.
        But you forget really important factor - money! Where is money there everyting is possible.
        I can see a scenario where game will be behind closed door, players and staff will be tested just to play and finish season.

  4. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Richard Stearman (SHU), whose contract was terminated by mutual consent on 10/1, is the GW30 top player on FPL

  5. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Any news on Premier League?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Thursday meeting

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Only Thursday but seeing that the Europa and CL will go ahead = domestic Leagues should follow.

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Cool

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        What? They have set provisional dates. It's far from certain they will be played

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 11 days ago

          No games have been cancelled and neither the Europa or CL have been voided at this point 😉

  6. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    There is not a cat's chance in hell of competitive football before August

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Why

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Simple maths for duration of crisis. 8-10 weeks to the peak, then another month or two down back to ‘normality’.

        If we’re cancelling games now then no chance in next 3 months and August is at risk as it is.

  7. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    They should finish the Premier League by simulating all the remaining games on Fifa.

  8. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    This will be the "Bobby Ewing death" season - it will be as if it had never happened. Hopefully reset in Aug/Sep

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      just cos you've had a mare 😉

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Yep let's play 29 games and then reset the season because the team you support is doing rubbish / your rival is doing great.

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Or becuase health is of paramount importance. Obviously dont expect pool fans to put that over their first league title for 30 years

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 days ago

          You're completely missing the point. Health is more important than anything and games have rightfully been stopped. All we're saying is that *when* it is safe to do so, the current season should be completed before starting the next one. Nobody is asking for games to be played when it is not safe to do so.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 11 days ago

            This

          2. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 days ago

            Think this is entirely reasonable.
            Domestic leagues to be finished.

            European tournaments to be cancelled.

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 11 days ago

              Totally fine and sensible. Nobody is asking for sympathy titles, promotions, european spots etc. We all love competitive footy and should just wait until it's safe to complete the season 🙂

          3. Ruth_NZ
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 days ago

            Yes, but if (as looks likely) games can't be resumed until August maybe, or September or even later then completing the current season before starting the next would actually mean losing next season.

            In addition, the current squads don't hold beyond June 30, that's why UEFA have provisionally set the last week of June for the EL & CL finals (though I doubt they will actually take place). Some players already have contracts at new clubs from July 1st and neither UEFA nor anyone else have the power to arbitrarily undo or change the contract situation between players and clubs.

            That means that if the season can't be completed by end June then it will have to be abandoned. There's no bias in that; it's simply a matter of fact. And maybe your appraisal of the SARS-CoV-2 situation is that completion by end June will be possible but personally I very much doubt that from what I have read.

            In which case the only realistic outcome will be to abandon the season. Personally I'd have no objection to Liverpool being given an honorary title but you can't do more than that given that promotion/relegation and so many other things aren't over until all the games are played. Essentially the 19-20 season would need to be treated as null and void and the 20-21 season would need to begin as if 19-20 had never existed.

            I can't see another rational outcome.

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 11 days ago

              The lawsuits would sell the PL down the river coupled with the TV money etc. which is the main reason why I think one way or another this season will be completed - maybe BCD, x3 games a week etc.

              I agree that you can't give one team an honorary title without rewarding the others for their work too. That being said, Liverpool are 25 points clear with 9 games to go (require 6pts), and are on course for the most points in PL history. It doesn't look good for PL integrity to brush a team like that under the carpet - let's hope the situation improves over the next few months and we can all get our football back. 🙂

              1. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 11 days ago

                Honestly, mate, I don't think this has anything to do with the integrity of the PL or anyone else. It has to do with the force majeure event of a global pandemic.

                Interestingly, the nearest corollary would be the 1939-40 season which had to be abandoned due to the outbreak of war. Blackpool were leading D1 at the time but as far as I know they just accepted that events bigger than football had taken over. Obviously that season hadn't gone so deep but the underlying circumstances were otherwise essentially the same.

                If City were leading by a distance right now, I doubt we'd be hearing so much about 'unfairness' from City fans, ex-players and ex-managers as we are from the Liverpool camp. Obviously that's because Liverpool have never won the PL and haven't won the top tier for 30 years. It doubtless feels gut-wrenching to get so near after all that time and to have it snatched away through no fault of your own. But it's no-one else's fault either. It's not unfair. It's just a minor side-effect of a terrible misfortune. The fact that people are dying as a result of this situation should put that in some kind of perspective, no?

                1. goriuanx
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 11 days ago

                  You make good points and if I'm being honest and fair, then obviously my eagerness for Liverpool to win the title plays a part. Let's see what happens. I hope you and your family are safe and well - and hope the same for everyone on here.

            2. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 11 days ago

              You make good points, especially relating to player contracts. (Although I think most players/clubs would accept that due to the unique nature of the circumstances a compromise can be made)

              It’s all on the timings and how long it will be unsafe to play competitive football again. We need 5 weeks to finish this domestic season.

              If football is deemed unsafe until let’s say January 2021, then we wouldn’t have time to play a full season before Euro2021 starts anyway.

            3. Ógie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 11 days ago

              I can't see another rational outcome either Ruth.The the writing is surely on the wall now.

              What an unmitigated disaster this is. 🙁

              I hope you and your family keeping well wherever ye are and come out the other side of this calamity safe and well.
              Best wishes in the struggles that lay ahead Ruth.

              1. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 11 days ago

                Thanks Ogie. My main concern is how to take care of an 89 year-old parent living alone. But these are difficulties that a lot of people will be facing.

                Here's a nice post I saw elsewhere:

                "Dammit, I just went out panic-buying and forgot to get any rice. Does anyone know whether toilet-paper is a good source of carbohydrates?" 😀

                Good luck to you and yours too.

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I think that one way or another it should be completed. If that ultimately means that a large number of games be compressed into a short time frame then so be it. Smaller clubs competing for promotion will be denied the additional revenue streams from any susequent promotion or play off involvement. It obviously has great meaning for Liverpool fans but what about other teams lower down the football pyramid ? I am sure that fans of teams such as Leeds , West Brom , Coventry , Rotherham , Oxford , Portsmouth , Fleetwood , Peterborough, Sunderland, Wycombe , Crewe , Swindon , Plymouth , Exeter , Cheltenham , Colchester , Northampton, Port Vale would be more than happy to wait to play the final games of the season. For these clubs the whole issue has serious financial implications. Finish this season off whenever it becomes viable and only then think about when to commence next season.

  9. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    A week ago people were planning for 3 April. Now it's June. Smell the coffee folks.

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Nobody was ever planning for April 3 restart.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Bobb's on fire!

  10. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    UEFA is still thinking about possible scenarios how to play rest of the cup games before UCL and EL finals.
    Final four system is one of the options. All depends when those games can take place.
    No specific scenario atm.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      One leg games best option.

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Played in a stadium which is exempt from the current global travel ban?

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Is Eurovision Song Contest going ahead this year? Meant to start on 13th May 2020.

    *from a concerned fan

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Behind closed doors - each competitor performing in their bedroom via Skype.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Nul points...

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      If any good is to come out of all this the Eurovision might be canceled.

      Maybe just dust off an old Eurovision classic like Johnny Logan What's another year.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ2jDdOfRwM

      Sorry if this is a bit too soon for Liverpool fans.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        😮 can’t cancel an institution.....we all need a bit of Bucks Fizz

  12. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Whats happening with price changes atm guys? Are they paused or should i still be monitoring?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Monitor and see if they move.

  13. Sensible Scouter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Solution is clearly send all teams and essential personnel to am isolated location. Quarantine for 2 weeks. Then play all remaining games as a 5-a-side tournament over a weekend. Not sure how that will affect my bench boost chip though...

  14. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    I think, as has been suggested, that a reduced next season in the spl style could well happen which would knock off about 10 games. That could mean a start as late as October. I would not be surprised if this happened because this season will not get going again till July.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Is all going to depend when the restart happens. I think July is very optimistic, but we'll see I guess.

      1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        It could work though. They reckon they'd need 6 weeks to finish the season. Mid July to end of August. Then September off. Start the reduced season as you previously suggested in October. They'd probably have to lose a cup competition. That gives us 16 weeks to start back up again. It could well be the case that we don't have Football or anything like for 18 months though.

  15. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Remaining games could easily be finished if players are given individual Zorbs. Simple problems requires simple solutions.

    Referee can sit on a drone.

  16. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    First 3 fpl picks in your team next season, along with the price you expect to pay for them?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      TAA 8.5m, KDB 12m, Covid 19m

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Covid will be 20m by the start of next season....

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Bruno 9.5m, TAA 8m, Sancho 13m

    3. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Covid 80% EO. Must have rank "Killer"

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 days ago

      TAA 7.5 - less points in more minutes than last year’s 7.0 will hopefully prevent anything more than a 0.5 hike

      KDB 11.0 - hopefully - although if he has pens he’ll actually be worth 12.0/12.5 so a massive bargain even at 11.0

      Bruno 8.5 - hopefully will avoid the 9.0 & instead get Pogba’s price from this year after double figure goals/assists the year before

      Rashford 10.0 - might be losing pens to Bruno but will surely continue to clock up the returns - only started 6/22 games as a CF so hopefully decent chance of a reclass

      Oops you said 3 🙂

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Think 7.5 & 8.5 are very generous for TAA & Bruno imo. Add 0.5 to both their expected values.
        Rashford should be good value at around 9.5 without penalties.
        Next season might be all about heavy hitting midfield in a 3-5-2.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 days ago

          Only forecasting what I think FPL will price them at, as opposed to what I think they’re actually worth (which would be more)

          TAA’s less FPL points in more minutes than the year before (when he went from 5.5 > 7.0) will hopefully prevent him going up more than 0.5 I’d say

          Same w/Bruno - there’s a pretty decent benchmark there in 18/19 Pogba who notched double figure G & A from midfield (23 in total!) the prior season, had pens etc but avoided the 9.0

  17. alastair
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Anyone know when the FFS H2H leagues will be updated for the results from GWs 29 and 30 ?