May 11 – As the English Premier League began a potentially pivotal meeting today in terms of if and when to resume games, they were having to deal with yet another club railing against plans to end the season at neutral venues.
Ahead of today’s crunch meeting, Watford joined Brighton and Aston Villa in stating their opposition to certain areas of the so-called ‘Project Restart’.
Watford are 17th in the Premier League and are looking to stave off relegation. Chairman Scott Duxbury was quoted as saying at the weekend: “There is no altruism in the Premier League. There are 20 different vested interests, which sometimes align but more often than not work purely to protect each individual club.
“That is why some clubs are happy to sign up to ‘Project Restart’ because arguably there is only an upside in participating in this compromised format; it means Liverpool can win the title, other clubs can book their place in Europe next season or potentially fight their way up the table from a position of safety.
“But when at least six clubs – and I suspect more – are concerned about the clear downside and the devastating effects of playing in this kind of distorted nine-game mini-league, then I believe the Premier League has a duty of care to address those concerns.
“If we start and finish a whole season under these conditions and at neutral venues when everybody knows the rules when we start, not created in a time of crisis, then that is clearly fair. To be asked to finish a quarter of the season under new rules and conditions is an entirely different proposition.
“How can the long-term future of clubs be determined under these fundamentally changed conditions? How is there any semblance of fairness? To wave aside all the fears and concerns is too simplistic. Surely all 20 clubs must agree the fairest way forward to complete the season? I hope we can now come together and find a solution to enable the season to end safely and fairly.”
Duxbury’s views, while valid in one way, are potentially flawed in another. If the season was to be halted entirely with no more games played and current league positions confirmed, Watford would escape what would otherwise have been the strong possibility of being relegated.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish believes those opposed to neutral grounds “aren’t looking far enough down the road” amid growing fears of the economic impact of the coronanvirus pandemic.
Parish says that unless Premier League clubs can find a way to stage matches soon, it may be a “very, very extended period” before the top flight returns.
“We would be derelict in our duty if we didn’t find a way to try and bring the game back,” he said. “It may prove beyond us. Deciding it competitively would be best, obviously if we can play in our own stadiums that would be preferable for everybody, but for the moment that situation is with government and the authorities and not with us.”
“The police have made it clear that they don’t think they can police every ground. I have enormous sympathy with [Watford chief executive ] Scott Duxbury’s position. Having said that, I think it may well prove to be the least worst option. There are no easy answers, we have to work through it as a collective and I think we will come out with a consensus in the end.”
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