Why would the league need to threaten the bottom three sides? If 14 clubs are in favour of finishing the season behind closed doors, what the bottom three want is irrelevant. Typical bit of tabloid fake news I would say.
Well, here's your fake news, straight from the horse's mouth - or in the case of the Daily Fail, horse's arse. Premier League clubs threaten vote to RELEGATE the bottom three if they block Project Restart proposals to stage games at neutral grounds next month. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...bottom-three-block-Project-Restart-plans.html
So, what happens if the season is restarted and the government implements Contact and Trace? Will the EPL instruct clubs and players not to participate? Otherwise, if a player tests positive after playing a game, the two clubs involved could be under quarantine for the next two weeks.
"The current bottom three had not been the most vocal in raising objections to Project Restart, with Brighton, West Ham and Watford leading the rebels as they have most to lose from a resumption, given they are just above the relegation zone....The Premier League require 14 clubs to vote in favour to pass a motion. The support of the bottom three would probably be enough to swing the balance in favour of Project Restart, and the struggling clubs may conclude it is their best option, given the looming threat of automatic relegation.." I've seen something from Villa lately, but Norwich and Bournemouth have been pretty quiet, or spoken about wanting a restart. The problem isn't the relegated teams, it's the number of teams who benefit from the league ending early. As the article rightly states, whether you end the season by PPG or current standings, the same 3 go down. And similarly, the same 3 survive. And the money for surviving is greater than that lost in TV revenue. Equally, threatening that the TV money for the next season might be disrupted if this season isn't finished isn't going to persuade anybody in the relegation battle. It's not like the Championship will pay better. There's so little incentive for West Ham, Brighton and Watford to want a restart. It's not just those 3 though. Leicester, Chelsea and Manchester United secure Champions League football if the season ends. Sheffield United, Wolves and Arsenal/Spurs (depending on points system) get Europa league spots. Even if all the teams in the relegation zone vote in favour of the restart, there's enough teams who have financial reasons for blocking it to get you beneath the 14 required. By my count there's only 7 teams (Liverpool, Man City, Burnley, Everton, Palace, Southampton, Newcastle) who clearly gain from the season resuming. It does seem odd that all the pressure is on a relatively quiet bottom 3. If it's fair to make threats against the bottom three, it's as fair to say anybody who votes against it won't be allowed to qualify for Europe.
Just read something interesting regarding player contracts. Those out of contract are still entitled to leave at the end of June on schedule, they can't be compelled to see the season out. All 3 Watford goalkeepers have contracts which expire this summer, as well as a CB and LB with 31 appearances between them this season. Bournemouth could lose Boruc, Surman (9 appearances), Daniels (2, but long term injury), Francis (18), Fraser (32), Ibe (4) & Simpson (8). Newcastle have 11 players out of contract this summer. And further away from the relegation battle, Manchester United could recall Dean Henderson from Sheffield United, depriving one of their rivals in the league of their first choice goalkeeper.
Leagues 1 and 2 to be abandoned? https://norwich.vitalfootball.co.uk...-announcement-next-week/#.XrUM7sneBG0.twitter
Exactly. Once the option of simply voiding the entire season is ruled out, the bottom three have every reason to want the remaining games played. It is the three above them who stand to lose most by completing the season.
Statement from the Watford chairman:- https://www.watfordfc.com/news/club/premier-league-chairmans-statement
From today's Telegraph: Dynamo Dresden forced to isolate entire squad one week before Bundesliga's scheduled restart The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are due to restart on Saturday, May 16 but Dresden are now facing 14 days of quarantine https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...d-isolate-entire-squad-just-week-bundesligas/ Project Restart will not be easy.
Yeah I saw that, I am not saying this because I am a Norwich fan and cancelling the season might save them. I honestly think that it's Gr££d and finance which is putting this anywhere close to happening. Journalists fearing that they are going to lose their high paying jobs are churning out article after article about 'project restart' and fuelling the conversation.