Three players of Bundesliga side, FC Koln, were diagnosed with coronavirus as they resumed training. They were following a strict regimen, one that had the blessing of German government and still they caught the deadly disease. The FA has to answer this question. Do they move forward towards Premier League’s resumption or take their time?
As it stands, all signals points towards the Premier League’s resumption. And its not just lot of money in at stake and there is not a single business entity out there that likes to pay people without getting work out of them. Not to mention businesses with a vested interest in the sport. It’s not just sign up offers for Royal Ascot that punters are interested in, betting companies need their slice of Premier League revenue to stay afloat also.
Footballers with all their million-dollar deals are going to learn this the hard way. End of June is a likely restart day, and not everyone is taking this news with open arms.
Sergio Aguero is understandably bewildered with the changing situation in England. The Manchester City marksman shared admitted that he is scared about returning to the pitch. If he chooses not to, he cannot be vilified. The Citizens do not have any chance of lifting the title and are comfortable in 2nd place. And he has enough in the bank to happily pay any fine that is levied on him.
But not everyone is Sergio Aguero, one of the best paid players at the Etihad Stadium. Not everyone is paid by a club backed by a sovereign fund. And not everyone plays for a Premier League club. The consequences of one’s decision are far reaching. While Aguero can decide not to play, those down the ladder have to. This is their only source of income.
We are talking about footballers playing in second, third and fourth division. And we have not even started on the non-playing staff who will have to get involved. They too, do not have much choice in the matter. Clubs’ would want loyalty from them, after all they were paid their salary in full and were not furloughed.
Premier League needs to take a stance
Now is the time to repay. Owners would want their pound of flesh and an early return may actually end up being a pound of flesh. It is a risky move. As proved by the Bundesliga experiment. The Germans have had to reassess their stance. It was the right move as economic reasons cannot take preference over the lives of people. And this is exactly what is at stake. Lives of people.
Gary Neville shared a very heart felt message on this topic: “The Fifa medical officer said that football should not take place before September. I think if it was a non-economic decision there would be no football for months.
“People are now assessing risk. How many people have to die playing football in the Premier League before it becomes unpalatable? One? One player? One member of staff goes into intensive care? What risk do we have to take? The discussion is purely economic.
Neville’s rationale cannot be questioned, but the Premier League has a bigger concern to contend with. Not only does it have to look at the safety of everyone involved, but also ensure the financial wellbeing of its partner clubs. And the survival of football clubs is at stake. Clubs spend as much as 60 percent of their revenue on wages. While wages are being paid, revenue has been hit hard.
Nevertheless, English clubs are still in better conditions than their French and German counterparts. The Ligue 1’s finishing would hit the club’s bottom line as they have yet to be paid their television revenues. This is why German club’s want to return, as they await their final payments which are substantial.
English clubs do not have to worry, at least for now, as they have already been paid this season. They can renegotiate and find a resolution that takes into account the extra ordinary circumstances we find ourselves in.
They have options at the table and should not take any decision in haste. The Premier League can hold off for now.
