Nope Premier League clubs have begun considering how reduced numbers of fans might be accommodated next season, when neutral venues could also remain as a back-up option to complete fixtures. Although all games will be played behind closed doors for the remainder of 2019-20 campaign, scenario planning has moved to discussions about when limited numbers of fans could safely return. Martin Semmens, Southampton’s chief executive, said that it was important to start “to imagine how we could bring our fans back to watch the team” and outlined some of the possible future options. “Everything now has to be looked at again," he told The Telegraph. "Everybody [across society] is having to reinvent what they are doing and what we do differently. So when it comes to what happens next season, whether we have got 50 fans in the boxes on their own, or 5,000 fans allowed in, whether we have to create bubbles where we can watch the game. There will be a way of finding solutions. “Four weeks ago, discussions of fans in the stadium would be impossible to even consider, but now the good thing is we can discuss it. We don’t know how long it will be, but we will get there in the end. And that is important. “You have to think what is the right time to invest energy and resources on that and what are the appropriate measures at the right time. I feel now we have reached a point where we can put resources into those discussions.” While playing fixtures home and away is the clear preference of the clubs, Semmens also expects neutral venues to remain as a contingency option now and potentially next season. “I think what they will do is set up the ability to play games at neutral venues and the ability to make that decision late on,” he said. “That’s my personal view. It makes sense to consider both options, do the planning, and then take the right advice from government when the time comes. "It was not the right time eight weeks ago to have that discussion about whether we can play a game at St Mary’s. It is now the right time and resources are available to do that. We are looking at all that - whether we are talking about fans coming back in the stadiums, whether we are talking about neutral venues potentially, it’s all now on the table to have a discussion about. To work out what is right and safe at the right time.” A neutral venue could conceivably be used on an emergency basis if there was a local spike in the coronavirus, or if the safety authorities had specific concerns about a fixture. “The intention is really clear - to play all games home and away,” said Semmens. “If there is a particular safety police measure then a neutral venue is an acceptable outcome for us if it keeps people safe. There’s no debate about that. If it is equally safe let’s play home and away.”
Getting fans in is easy. The government is looking at reducing the social distancing dimension to a metre and in a stadium we all face the same way the solution therefore is to sell everyone a quarter season ticket as with my proposed system they will get to see one game in four. Game one: People can attend who have even numbered seats in even numbered rows Game two: People can attend who have odd numbered seats in even numbered rows Game three: People can attend who have even numbered seats in odd numbered rows Game four: People can attend who have odd numbered seats in odd numbered rows Turnstile software could easily manage the system. Problem solved.
what happens 10 minutes before half time when the person 3 or 4 seats away from you wants to go to the loo/have a beer/just likes missing the last 10 minutes of a half???
You start coughing violently as he tries to push passed you or he can climb into the empty row behind him and walk out that way. I don't know why you are so worried. The Government is trying to bump of as many old people as possible anyway and this will just speed things up given the age profile of many Saints season ticket holders.
I’m only worried because once the government successfully bumps of you old people, that makes me become one of the old people....
Premier League shareholders meeting approves temporary change to five substitutes that can be used per game. However, in a bid to prevent time-wasting, you will have to make your five subs by utilising just three game stoppages, or during half-time.
Dates, times and broadcasters are out for first few rounds of matches. Saints return to action on Friday 19th June.
Clubs are optimistic fans will be allowed back in stadiums in September, albeit with reduced capacities. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-clubs-hope-fans-22140194
Friday-Tuesday-Sunday-Midweek off That's quite alright to be honest. Actually better than a Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, recovery wise.
We get one extra day than Arsenal (Tuesday match) and two extra days off than Watford (Sunday match).
I love the idea of nine subs on the bench and the use of up to five, would like this maintained even after the crisis is over Give more chances to the kids and hopefully reduce injuries as more players can be rotated
Might make for a worse spectacle though, always seem to lose the flow of the game when too many subs are made during friendlies etc. imo.
Yeah I just feel once you get too many different players on the pitch than the ones who started it can disrupt the rhythm a bit. Be interesting to see how many clubs regularly take up the option, can't think of 5 effective substitutes we could make! Might be good for some youngsters mind.
Probably a dumb question, but seeing as the transfer window will be technically open when games restart, could a new signing potentially play in any of the games?