Alan Shearer has just said what all Cardiff City and
Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:41 pm
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has just said what all Cardiff City and Swansea City fans are thinking about handing Leeds United and West Brom promotion
Monday 16th March 2020
How the Championship season will finish is anyone's guess at the moment, but Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has given his view on handing the top two sides promotion now
Newcastle United and England legend Alan Shearer has rubbished the notion of automatically promoting Leeds United and West Brom to the Premier League if the season cannot be finished.
The idea was mooted by Brighton chief executive Paul Barber , who suggested the top two teams in the second tier, currently Leeds and West Brom, should be elevated to the top flight to make a 22-team Premier League and a 22-team Championship next term.
Understandably, fans of all Championship clubs have flocked to social media to voice their opinion on the idea and many find the idea rather bizarre.
While the Baggies hold a six-point lead over fourth-placed Fulham at present, with nine games still left to play it is still anyone's guess as to who will take those top two spots.
And the likes of Cardiff City and Swansea City, who sit just two and three points off the play-off spots, have always felt within touching distance of a promotion push this season.
Should Barber's proposed plan be implemented, it would devastate Bluebirds and Swans fans, many of whom have been vociferous in their admonishment of the idea.
And BBC pundit Shearer appears to be of the same thinking, believing if the season cannot be finished then the whole campaign should be rendered void.
"If you cannot complete the fixtures then you cannot go handing out titles or consider relegating anybody", he wrote in his Sun column.
"People have spoken of bringing Leeds and West Brom up from the Championship — but there would be uproar from other clubs.
"Sitting seven and six points above third with nine games to go, there is no guarantee they would finish in the top two.
"If there's no alternative than to cancel all remaining league fixtures, then the only logical decision should be to void the entire campaign.
"While it would be harsh on some clubs that are chasing promotion, or league titles, it can't really be helped.
"Every angle and scenario has to be looked at in order to reach a conclusion, even if that means a long delay before playing into next season.
"If, and it is a huge if, the season cannot be completed then there is no way you can have a winner or loser.
"As harsh and as horrible as that would be for some clubs, none more so than Liverpool, it is the only outcome."
While no decision on how or indeed when the season will indeed come to its conclusion, there have certainly been a myriad proposals on how in fact that can be achieved.
The EFL, however, refuse to be drawn into hypothetical solutions and say they will not give a 'running commentary' on what may or may not happen as they seek clarity on the whole situation.
"These are indeed challenging times for the League, its Clubs and the game as a whole," EFL chair Rick Parry said on Monday.
"However, now is the time for cool heads and calm reflection, rather than speculation as we look to steer our competitions and clubs through this period of uncertainty."
Monday 16th March 2020
How the Championship season will finish is anyone's guess at the moment, but Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has given his view on handing the top two sides promotion now
Newcastle United and England legend Alan Shearer has rubbished the notion of automatically promoting Leeds United and West Brom to the Premier League if the season cannot be finished.
The idea was mooted by Brighton chief executive Paul Barber , who suggested the top two teams in the second tier, currently Leeds and West Brom, should be elevated to the top flight to make a 22-team Premier League and a 22-team Championship next term.
Understandably, fans of all Championship clubs have flocked to social media to voice their opinion on the idea and many find the idea rather bizarre.
While the Baggies hold a six-point lead over fourth-placed Fulham at present, with nine games still left to play it is still anyone's guess as to who will take those top two spots.
And the likes of Cardiff City and Swansea City, who sit just two and three points off the play-off spots, have always felt within touching distance of a promotion push this season.
Should Barber's proposed plan be implemented, it would devastate Bluebirds and Swans fans, many of whom have been vociferous in their admonishment of the idea.
And BBC pundit Shearer appears to be of the same thinking, believing if the season cannot be finished then the whole campaign should be rendered void.
"If you cannot complete the fixtures then you cannot go handing out titles or consider relegating anybody", he wrote in his Sun column.
"People have spoken of bringing Leeds and West Brom up from the Championship — but there would be uproar from other clubs.
"Sitting seven and six points above third with nine games to go, there is no guarantee they would finish in the top two.
"If there's no alternative than to cancel all remaining league fixtures, then the only logical decision should be to void the entire campaign.
"While it would be harsh on some clubs that are chasing promotion, or league titles, it can't really be helped.
"Every angle and scenario has to be looked at in order to reach a conclusion, even if that means a long delay before playing into next season.
"If, and it is a huge if, the season cannot be completed then there is no way you can have a winner or loser.
"As harsh and as horrible as that would be for some clubs, none more so than Liverpool, it is the only outcome."
While no decision on how or indeed when the season will indeed come to its conclusion, there have certainly been a myriad proposals on how in fact that can be achieved.
The EFL, however, refuse to be drawn into hypothetical solutions and say they will not give a 'running commentary' on what may or may not happen as they seek clarity on the whole situation.
"These are indeed challenging times for the League, its Clubs and the game as a whole," EFL chair Rick Parry said on Monday.
"However, now is the time for cool heads and calm reflection, rather than speculation as we look to steer our competitions and clubs through this period of uncertainty."
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Re: Alan Shearer has just said what all Cardiff City and
Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:08 pm
I tend to agree,although liverpool would be furious,as in my opinion,and I don't like admitting it they would undoubtedly have won the prem,but as stated,the only fair and right way to go,would be to expunge all results from this season completely, and hopefully start afresh,when that may be,who knows right now.imagine leeds,who have splashed the cash trying to get there,and could well fall fall of ffp? This is one compacted situation,for sure. 
Re: Alan Shearer has just said what all Cardiff City and
Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:46 pm
If the teams mentioned are good enough, they will, repeat this season next season (whenever that will be).
While there are games left to play , the season isn't over .
Very unlikely I know , but Liverpool have wobbled lately, Leeds and WBA have also had bad runs. So who is to say with any certainty it won't happen again ?
Either complete the season or void it . There's no grey area .
While there are games left to play , the season isn't over .
Very unlikely I know , but Liverpool have wobbled lately, Leeds and WBA have also had bad runs. So who is to say with any certainty it won't happen again ?
Either complete the season or void it . There's no grey area .
Re: Alan Shearer has just said what all Cardiff City and
Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:14 am
If the season can't be finished, each team should find their best FIFA player from among their fan base and play virtual matches in line with the remaning fixtures. In that way, everything can be decided and the sdeason completed.
Re: Alan Shearer has just said what all Cardiff City and
Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:09 am
stentona wrote:If the season can't be finished, each team should find their best FIFA player from among their fan base and play virtual matches in line with the remaning fixtures. In that way, everything can be decided and the sdeason completed.
To be fair,that's a good shout
If it can't be finished,and it is a possibility, I'd go with no relegations no promotions,some teams will breathe a huge sigh of relief (Norwich for one) and some will be miffed(leeds, West brom possibly) but it's the fairest way to go imho.or maybe when the new season starts,everyone starts with the points tally they have at end of play this year?? Hard to say what will happen really.
Re: Alan Shearer has just said what all Cardiff City and
Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:14 am
i wont accept cancelling the season out. imagine if we were 3rd now, and had say 5/6 players out of contract in june, seasons cancelled, the money we desperately needed from promotion wiped out, and then we lose those 5/6 players to premier league clubs. our fans would be furious. instead of the euros, i can see the leagues finishing. probably august time