News

Premier League postponed indefinitely but plans remain to finish 2019/20 season

The Premier League have acknowledged that the 2019/20 season stands no chance of resuming at the beginning of May amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement released on Friday, the Premier League announced that top-flight football will only return when “it is safe and appropriate to do so” and said that the restart date remains “under constant review”.

However, the league’s administrative body and its 20 clubs remain committed to seeing the current campaign through to a climax if and when Government and medical guidance permits it.

In their previous video conference a fortnight ago, Premier League clubs and the powers-that-be agreed on a temporary suspension of play until April 30.

A resumption at the beginning of May is a non-starter, however, and we are set for a considerably longer period of downtime than initially bargained for in mid-March.

Fantasy Premier League may follow suit with an announcement given that the Gameweek 36-38 deadlines are going to be affected in the same way as the six sets of fixtures before it.

FPL have so far been retaining the pre-scheduled Gameweek deadlines, with no fixtures taking place but the usual rules surrounding free transfers, points hits and head-to-head scores still applying.

The next deadline (Gameweek 32) is on Saturday morning at 11.30am.

FPL confirm deadlines for Gameweeks 31-35 will remain unchanged

There were other issues on the agenda at Friday’s meeting, including an agreement that clubs would consult their players regarding a 30% pay cut.

The league also unanimously voted to advance funds of £125m to the EFL and National League, with some clubs further down the football pyramid starting to struggle.

The Premier League committed £20m to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, meanwhile.

The full statement can be read here, with the most pertinent passage concerning the restart below:

At a meeting of Premier League Shareholders today, clubs discussed in detail how to respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

First and foremost, it was reaffirmed that the overriding priority is to aid the health and wellbeing of the nation and our communities, including players, coaches, managers, club staff and supporters.

It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May – and that the 2019/20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

The restart date is under constant review with all stakeholders, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic develops and we work together through this very challenging time.

The Premier League is working closely with the whole of professional football in this country, as well as with the Government, public agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the game achieves a collaborative solution. 

With this, there is a combined objective for all remaining domestic league and cup matches to be played, enabling us to maintain the integrity of each competition.

However, any return to play will only be with the full support of Government and when medical guidance allows.

256 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 months ago

    Watched 'dragged across the concrete' last night on Amazon prime.

    All 3 of Director S. Craig Zahler's films have been absolutely incredible. What a talent. How long can he keep this going?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      About as long as your slow wildcard?

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Hahaha

  2. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 12 months ago

    Interesting discussion previous page regarding the Covid. A vaccine could be months away, but this lockdown will not realistically be sustainable during that time neither...

    Not saying it's the Holy Grail, but perhaps widespread testing will allow life to return to more normality, football to return etc.

  3. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 months ago

    There have been many posts recently, some fair and some not, why people or organisations are not actively entertaining or employing others to entertain us.

    Can we change the game?

    Technically programmatically it shouldn't be a problem as games & gw's are just variables that feed into code (programming), so not a problem in itself as usually this is hours, not days.

    However there are contractual constraints within/without PL/FPL that make it difficult to navigate because of shareholder interests. Decisions become harder to reach as there are change-management policy procedures within all parties, that are there to enable change & profit. Because of the uncertainty, no clear decisions can be reached. A lot is changing right now outside the control of these sporting & entertainment organisations.

    If like me, you wish to engage in FPL next season, let's continue to support rather than belittle & diminish. FPL is growing business, with associated risk factors of uncertainty, and certainly not of $m/billionaire ilk.

    Do you support FPL Virgin's views?

    A: Yes
    B: No

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      C

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Certainly not his views on rib eye steaks anyway.
      As for the A or B question, I haven't a clue as your entire post makes no sense.
      Have you recently read a business studies pamphlet designed for 12 year olds?

    3. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      I like chicken.

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      A.

  4. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 12 months ago

    If true that we’ve been chasing Grealish for 60m for a while - surely if Villa get relegated we get him for say 45m - and use the change to bring in Auba?

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Its simple woodward

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      You'll be using the change to fix his Range Rover or to buy proper shin guards

  5. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 12 months ago

    Any help so very appreciated!

    Thoughts on this in the coming weeks? - / is the players I would be getting

    D.Henderson / Leno
    Cahill / AWB
    B.Williams /Jaanmat/Hanley
    Mané / Sané
    Jota / Rashford
    Fleck/ J.Henderson

  6. rainy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 12 months ago

    Price Changes - 4th April 2020

    🔺  Bellerín (5.5), Mahrez (8.5), Hayden (4.4), Lundstram (4.9), S.Long (4.7), B.Johnson (4.0), Patrício (5.2), R.James (5.1), Sarr (6.4), B.Borges Fernandes (8.6)

    🔻  Grealish (6.4), Balogun (4.3), Ampadu (4.3), Yoshida (4.1), Son (9.7), Masuaku (4.1), Ruddy (4.2), Wesley (5.4), Mings (4.4), A.King (4.2), Murphy (4.7), Kean (6.3), Willems (4.3), Martinelli (4.4), Cancelo (5.1), Famewo (3.9), Martin (3.9)

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      I’m as surprised as you are

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        I dunno, I'm really surprised. Are that many people still playing, and aware of the GW deadline?

        1. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 12 months ago

          I saw someone say before that the thresholds they use for price rises/falls are based on active players. Not sure how true it is but these changes seems to suggest it is.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 12 months ago

            I wonder how they classify an “active” player? Volume of transfers? Or number of times accessing account?

    2. TiAgoFPL
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Damn now I can't do Grealish to Bruno , have to downgrade Fleck to problably Hayden ir Cantwell again . huge miatake selling him

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Christ alive. Didn't realise I'd have to check price changes right now but clearly still some volatility.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        If you look at the “transfers in (round)” section of the FPL site.... I’m pretty sure that over 100k transfers in - and that’s on just the first page

        Must be much more than that across all 628 players/all positions

        There’s life in the old dog yet it seems

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      WTF

    5. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      W.o.w. Unexpected.
      Nice of Riyad to pop back up to my PP.

    6. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Got rid of Martin at the right time 🙂

    7. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Wtf
      Should have sold grealish earlier !!!

      Thanks rainy

    8. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      People are really bored and trigger happy

    9. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Another few bumps. Nice.

    10. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Surprised that Boris rose in price despite being infected by corona

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Its the public exposure. He's knocking in the assists from all over the park.

    11. Party time
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Corona must be laughing

      • The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        As soon as the announcement was made of the indefinite suspension of the Premier League I think quite a few like myself made the transfers yesterday in the small chance FPL towers may stop allowing transfers. Then again I could be wrong. 😀

        1. rainy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          Quite a few indeed it seems 😀

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/21824194

    12. davies
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Anyone made any transfers before deadline?

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        The Hello Kitty ones will wash off, Im hoping

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 12 months ago

          Here Kitty Kitty will never wash off Joe Exotic:

          https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lCgz9915wHw

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Yep Ings to DCL

      3. 20LEGEND
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Ings to DCL & Ighalo to Rashford

    13. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Basically if you are a Man City/Utd or Villa fan then you want this season to be void

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Perhaps even "co void" ye Manchester twunts

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 12 months ago

          Hahaha.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        United will lose out on CL if the season is voided.

    14. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      https://youtu.be/KbokMepXFPY

      Ooh ah it's Paul McGrath, with Tommy Tiernan.

    15. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Just seen some videos of Chinese wet markets.

      What the actual.. I never knew it was that bad.

      Why isn't more being made of this within the media? And a lot of them have reopened in recent weeks..

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Broadly I stick up for China because people throw labels their way and make assumptions based on hostile spin from the US etc.
        But food standards are a definite exception I'm afraid. The Yulin dogmeat festival is such an example.

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 12 months ago

          It can't be allowed to continue, not just China, but across east Asia were hygiene standards are just as appalling.

      2. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        SARs, Bird Flu and now covid-19 started at these markets, and yet the mainstream media has no interest in applying pressure to shut them down.

        1. Gentle_Turks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 12 months ago

          The media's job is to report the news not to shut down markets in China.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 12 months ago

            Let's just all let these wildlife meat markets continue then. Who cares, hey?

            If the next virus is as contagious as covid-19 but as deadly as SARS, then mankind is all but over.

            1. Gentle_Turks
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 12 months ago

              I care, but it's not the media's job.

    16. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Right time to use a transfer.
      A. Button to Pope/McCarthy (have Krul).
      B. Soyuncu to Wan-Bissaka/Maguire/Egan
      C. Stephens to Egan
      D. Ings to DCL

      Soyuncu is the nearest to a change/fall.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        D.

    17. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Probably irrelevant in the grand scheme of things but need to sort the midfield.

      Who to swap for Sake to free up funds:

      A. Sarr
      B. Barnes

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        I agonised over this and poured over the stats. I went Barnes in the end, but there's really nothing between them imo.

      2. Assisting the assister
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Yep I went same in the end. Just gut feel that Barnes stock will continue to rise.

    18. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      If the fixtures have been postponed, how do we know what the deadline date and time is each game week ?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Uh, by logging into FPL and taking a look.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 12 months ago

          I did but there are no fixtures listed which is how I normally check by looking at the first fixture of the game week.

          Just noticed that that there is a single line that says ‘Gameweek 30 - Sat 14 Mar 11:30’ - doesn’t say this is the deadline, or the old deadline, or just a bit of legacy information that hasn’t been removed.

          What happens when an early Friday night game is postponed during an normal gameweek? does the deadline change too or is it held on the Friday even if there isn’t a game ?

          Don’t know why they don’t just default it to 2pm Saturday ?

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        It’s on the site as always

        Click on “My Team”

        Scroll down to “Fixtures”

        See Deadline Dates & Times

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 12 months ago

          Thanks, I did that and it’s not there on my phone.

          Anyway, that single line reference seems to be the deadline, rather than just legacy reference to the old deadline

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 12 months ago

            It’s there - under “Save Your Team” when you scroll down on the “My Team” page

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 12 months ago

              yes, that is what I said above and didn’t know if it was just a legacy of the old page.

              But if a Friday night fixture was to be cancelled (two weeks in advance say) in a normal game week, would the deadline revert to the next fixture or still be on the Friday ?

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 12 months ago

                Friday night games are a long way away unfortunately

                1. Hotdogs for Tea
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 12 months ago

                  I was maybe looking for an answer and your opinion what would happen to the deadline in a normal season if a Friday night game was cancelled?

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 12 months ago

                    Christ only knows, Friday night games are a long way away unfortunately

                    Christ only knows mate, in answer to the question (“If the fixtures have been postponed, how do we know what the deadline date and time is each game week?”):

                    It’s on the site as always

                    Click on “My Team”

                    Scroll down to “Fixtures”

                    See Deadline Dates & Times

                    1. Hotdogs for Tea
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 12 months ago

                      I found the date and said so before you replied, thanks. Thought I had closed that bit out ?

                      i am talking hypothetically in a typical season and not about the current situation.

                      Have we ever had a Friday night game cancelled in the history of FPL and what happened to the deadline, did it stay as Friday and catch everyone out, or was it moved to the next game. It was a simple question really ?

                      never mind though

                      thanks

                      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        3 years, 12 months ago

                        You’re welcome 🙂

    19. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Hi Guys, If you had Mane and Salah which one would you get rid of to get Auba and Bruno ??

      Salah and Jota out for Auba and Bruno ( have Mane and Jimenez )

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Mane. It's an extremely close call but Salah has better assist potential.

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Mane

      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 12 months ago

        Salah stays, Mane makes way

    20. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-twins-born-during-india-lockdown-named-corona-and-covid-11968479

      This is like calling your kids HIV & AIDS, or Rabies & Black Death - It doesn’t even have an April 1st time stamp

      WTF

    21. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 12 months ago

      Missed the deadline and burnt a transfer. Oh well.

    22. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      I know - let's all change our FPL team names to Thank you NHS