Some Premier League football clubs are considering the the possibility of playing the whole of 2020-21 season behind closed doors whereas their clubs discuss proposals to complete this season behind closed doors at neutral venues, they have also started considering the impact of playing the 2020-21 season without fans as well.
Premier League clubs remain committed to finishing the current season, but it emerged this will only be possible if 8-10 neutral venues are used to play the remaining fixtures.
The 'Project Restart' document was top of the agenda in the latest conference call on Friday, which all 20 clubs attended, while the next meeting is set to take place after the UK government's next review of lockdown measures on May 7.
June 12 was discussed as a potential return date but any final decision will rest with the government and will depend on the next steps in the lockdown.
The 'Project Restart' document was top of the agenda in the latest conference call on Friday, which all 20 clubs attended, while the next meeting is set to take place after the UK government's next review of lockdown measures on May 7.
June 12 was discussed as a potential return date but any final decision will rest with the government and will depend on the next steps in the lockdown.
In the meantime, many clubs believe one of the first things they can do is budget for spending little or no money on transfers when the next window opens.
The Premier League have said failing to finish this season would cost its 20 clubs more than £1billion, but playing next season behind closed doors is likely to have an even more dramatic impact on club finances.
Premier League clubs make the majority of their money from broadcasting income and, apart from that, their revenues stem mainly from matchday income and commercial deals.
Both those revenue streams would be significantly reduced if games were played behind closed doors for a whole season.
The Premier League have said failing to finish this season would cost its 20 clubs more than £1billion, but playing next season behind closed doors is likely to have an even more dramatic impact on club finances.
Premier League clubs make the majority of their money from broadcasting income and, apart from that, their revenues stem mainly from matchday income and commercial deals.
Both those revenue streams would be significantly reduced if games were played behind closed doors for a whole season.
With Australia reportedly ready to host the end of the Premier League season, the Sunday Supplement panel discussed whether going abroad would be the right move to see the 2019/20 campaign through to its conclusion.
"I think it's a non-starter," Darren Lewis, football writer at the Daily Mirror. "Gary [Neville] is, in many ways, leading the conversation on the realities of this situation and calling things as they are, and speaking in a way that footballers have really resonated with.
"I know Simon Francis in The Times spoke about the many things Gary has been saying that reflect the views of footballers across the country, but I just can't see it being a starter on this."
"I think it's a non-starter," Darren Lewis, football writer at the Daily Mirror. "Gary [Neville] is, in many ways, leading the conversation on the realities of this situation and calling things as they are, and speaking in a way that footballers have really resonated with.
"I know Simon Francis in The Times spoke about the many things Gary has been saying that reflect the views of footballers across the country, but I just can't see it being a starter on this."
