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       #Post#: 17496--------------------------------------------------
       20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: lincs22
       Date: May 12, 2020, 5:14 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Given the Government announcement about there being an
       indefinite ban on sporting crowds, when do we feel we can start
       the 20/21 season and at what level.
       Without match day income, that effectively makes EFL, NL and
       Step 3 to 6 unsupportable financially to start again. Do we
       think that there will be a 20/21 season?
       I think that we will be allowed to start at the lowest level in
       September, but the 20/21 may not commence until 2021......
       #Post#: 17498--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: Acme Thunderer
       Date: May 12, 2020, 5:50 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I am sure you are right lincs22. This is all about social
       distancing, and until this can be sorted out via a vaccine or
       similar, I cannot see many people wanting to crowd into a
       stadium to see football or any other sport. Fans may be able to
       practice a measure of social distancing at grounds in lower
       leagues, but there will still be problems there with organising
       toilet facilities and the like. And who is going to want to
       crowd on to trains and underground systems to go to PL grounds
       in London and other major cities, or queue on the roads for
       hours to get to and from grounds? Call me a glass-half-empty guy
       if you like, but I cannot see any action taking place at grounds
       with fans present until into 2021, and then it may be too late
       for many clubs in the lower reaches of the various contributory
       Leagues.
       #Post#: 17499--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: rustyref
       Date: May 12, 2020, 11:33 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Social distancing will remain in place until there is a
       vaccination, everyone seems to be clear on that.  The experts
       seem to say that is incredibly unlikely to happen this year, and
       the government are open in the document they published on Monday
       that it might never happen, and no vaccine for SARS was ever
       made.  Once it is available it will take a long time to
       vaccinate the entire population, and at risk groups will take
       priority so that won't put footballers at the front of the
       queue.  I think that means the following ....
       The elite leagues can probably operate behind closed doors,
       perhaps to complete this season and for most if not all of next
       season.  They can do that by having the resources to test
       players and all participants every day.  In England I'd say that
       is the Premier League and Championship, but below that it
       becomes more tricky.
       At semi-pro and grass roots, unless a vaccine is found much
       faster than expected I really can't see there being a 2020/21
       season at all and I'm not massively confident about the
       following season either.
       #Post#: 17500--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: Whistleblower
       Date: May 12, 2020, 12:53 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       It's a grim prediction rustyref but not at all a far-fetched
       one. I have a horrid feeling this Covid-19 thing is going to run
       and run. At any rate the financial repercussions for the whole
       of society, including sport, are going to be felt for years to
       come
       #Post#: 17501--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: bmb
       Date: May 12, 2020, 4:45 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: rustyref link ---
       >
       >
       > The elite leagues can probably operate behind closed doors,
       perhaps to complete this season and for most if not all of next
       season.  They can do that by having the resources to test
       players and all participants every day.  In England I'd say that
       is the Premier League and Championship, but below that it
       becomes more tricky.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       A number of leagues are already starting behind closed doors
       games to finish off this season. Bundesliga, Poland, Hungary & I
       believe Estonia as well. Our first 'training' games are
       tomorrow, the cup SF and 2 previously postponed games (from MD1
       & MD20 due to CL qualifiers & a dodgy pitch not covid-19) are on
       the 23rd, 26th & 27th. Cup final 3rd June and the final 8 league
       games are scheduled between 29th May & 27th June.
       No decision has been made on next season for us yet although 1
       idea muted is starting a bit later & a shorter or no winter
       break & the season will remain behind closed if needed.
       Certainly easier for us in Hungary as we are not reliant on TV
       money or gate revenue. Most money comes from government schemes.
       Our national TV channel lives streams every game for free
       throughout the season anyway - 2 or 3 on the TV channel itself
       but all 6 games on the website & they remain available to view
       for at least 3 months after the game has been played so we don't
       have to factor in a TV contract to any discussions about
       continuing.
       Very rigid rules on testing & what will happen if there are any
       positive tests. No more than 96 hours between tests, minimal
       club staff for the home team, only coaches, players & physio
       from the away team, match officials, 1 ambulance & 2 doctors,
       minimal media who have to be accredited 24hrs before a game and
       have a valid certificate showing a negative test within the
       prior 72 hours. They have requested only the TV channel have
       media in attendance & all other outlets use the free streams of
       the games to do reports etc. but I think it's 6 that they will
       consider accrediting per match subject to the tests & other
       criteria. It's the home club who decide and they have strict
       rules on distancing/position in the ground. No media access to
       players/managers - not sure if that also applies to the TV
       channel or just the rest of the media. No referee observer
       present, matches will be assessed post match using the video
       provided by the TV channel. No board members etc Grounds will be
       zoned with only specific people allowed in each designated zone.
       Huge fine or possible prison sentence if you go into a different
       zone. Players will be fined for spitting as well I believe.
       #Post#: 17502--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: dave26
       Date: May 13, 2020, 4:43 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I知 sorry but I知 against any football restarting anytime soon
       for several reasons
       Why should they be given special dispensation when millions are
       sacrificing themselves by staying at home and not being able to
       see family , friends and loved ones
       A woman who worked at London Victoria was spat on by someone
       with Covid days later she contracted the virus and eventually
       died as a result footballers spit , sweat and make physical
       contact what about social distancing between players
       #Post#: 17503--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: reflector
       Date: May 13, 2020, 6:05 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: dave26 link ---
       >
       > I知 sorry but I知 against any football restarting anytime soon
       for several reasons
       >
       > Why should they be given special dispensation when millions
       are sacrificing themselves by staying at home and not being able
       to see family , friends and loved ones
       >
       > A woman who worked at London Victoria was spat on by someone
       with Covid days later she contracted the virus and eventually
       died as a result footballers spit , sweat and make physical
       contact what about social distancing between players
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Treating football differently sends out all the wrong messages.
       Mind you, if it stops the players awful spitting and even worse
       blowing of noses on to the pitch, it could bring some benefit in
       the long run.
       #Post#: 17505--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: Leggy
       Date: May 13, 2020, 9:00 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: dave26 link ---
       >
       > I知 sorry but I知 against any football restarting anytime soon
       for several reasons
       >
       > Why should they be given special dispensation when millions
       are sacrificing themselves by staying at home and not being able
       to see family , friends and loved ones
       >
       > A woman who worked at London Victoria was spat on by someone
       with Covid days later she contracted the virus and eventually
       died as a result footballers spit , sweat and make physical
       contact what about social distancing between players
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Its a really small point but the person SAID they had COVID.
       No-one knows if that was the truth or bulls$$T because they have
       not (yet) found and arrested the so-and-so.
       #Post#: 17508--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: Readingfan
       Date: May 13, 2020, 1:15 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I don't have a problem with football returning where relevant
       protocols can be put in place to make it as safe as possible.
       Society is gradually going to need to start opening up bit by
       bit. Football employs an awful lot of people and provides a
       significant amount to the economy and our public services
       through taxation. It also contributes to the physical and mental
       well-being of plenty of people.
       It can't be rushed and there needs to be adequate
       medical/testing procedures in place to make it as safe as
       possible but I think at least some football will return in this
       country soon, as it has elsewhere.
       #Post#: 17524--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 Season - when will we restart?
   DIR By: Maltese Falcon
       Date: May 15, 2020, 6:22 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Elite football (as a really big business first and foremost)
       across many major footballing nations is already, rightly or
       wrongly, being looked at as a special case.  The money is
       available to make this happen and the money at stake makes this
       pretty much inevitable (behind closed doors)
       Grassroots football (from Sunday League up to around Step 3-4)
       will end up being all about the safety of the players (and those
       they subsequently come into contact with).  The small numbers of
       spectators would be able to socially distance just fine.  As
       infection rates continue to hopefully fall (from a current 0.27%
       in UK allegedly) the balance of risk in society is likely to
       tilt dramatically back towards restarting economic growth as we
       are already seeing both in countries who have done well in
       containment (Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Slovenia etc) and
       even those who haven't (USA anyone ...)
       Then, the really interesting group of matches will be those in
       the "middle" .. League 1, 2, National League where crowds are
       larger and spectator revenue critical.  Maybe matches allowed
       with crowds up to a third or half of capacity?
       Sure we will watch with interest those nearby countries where
       grassroots football gets up and running sooner ... Denmark
       potentially mid June as an example
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