Covid 19 - What next for football?

What next for football after the Coronavirus outbreak? There are a lot more questions than answers at this stage, however, what we do know for certain is that there will be no matches played until 3rd of April at the earliest. In reality there is likely to be a further postponement of matches, which could go on for at least a couple of months.

This is unprecedented and football has to come to terms with what’s happening. Health is the most important thing of course. In terms of what happens in football over the coming weeks and months is a mystery. Clubs in the lower leagues cannot continue to operate without the revenue they gain from a match day. Should this outbreak continue to delay sporting events, there is no doubt that clubs in the lower leagues will struggle to survive.

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The Premier League as with every other league around the world, have plenty of decisions to make. If the outbreak continues, what happens to the current season? Is it null and void? Does the season just end now and the teams in the relegation places go down, the teams in the promotion places go up etc?

There are so many things to iron out, such as player contracts - They usually run out during the summer months, if the season is delayed until the summer - The players who are out of contract, will they be allowed to continue to play? There is also the issue with the summer transfer window, is that also delayed or can players move to different clubs while this delayed season comes to a close?

All these questions will need to be answered at some stage, for now everything is up in the air. With every passing weekend, the clubs in the lower leagues will take one big hit after another and it is vitally important that something is put in place to protect them and help them survive.

West Ham United vice-chairman Karen Brady called for the current season to be null and void. It comes from a selfish position, with West Ham currently struggling in the Premier League - Above the relegation zone courtesy of goal difference. Marking the current season null and void would be unjust for many reasons. One being - Nobody can question that current leaders, Liverpool deserve to be crowned champions. While the teams chasing promotion to the Premier League, deserve the right to decide their own destiny.

Football faces an uncertain future, whatever happens, the decisions that must be made have to be fair for all concerned.