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The EFL have signalled their intention to complete the current season – which has met with the approval of Wanderers legend, Kevin Davies.
A statement from the league issued yesterday confirmed that they will work towards a “successful conclusion” to the 2019/20 campaign but are unable to commit to exactly when fixtures will recommence.
The uncertainty over the scale and extent of the coronavirus outbreak mean the EFL will have to seek advice from the government on when they press ahead, or whether games can be played behind closed doors, as has been suggested.
Davies is happy to hear, however, that the season will be settled after widespread speculation that it could be ended early – or even restarted altogether.
“They absolutely have to finish the season off, even if it is behind closed doors, or if it rolls into when next season would have started,” he told The Bolton News, accepting that player contracts - which run to the end of June in many cases - could be an issue.
“It might mean doing away with the cup competitions or the international friendlies but I think for the sake of completing the season, it should be done.
“I can’t see any fairer way of doing it. You couldn’t rip it up and start again. Too much has happened.”
Wanderers have declined to comment on any aspect of the lockdown, or their own financial issues therein, but players are due to report to training this morning (Thursday) and tomorrow.
A number of clubs have asked their players to train independently and closed their facilities down – another option that Bolton have refused to comment on – and Davies believes the EFL will play a key role in ensuring the right choice is taken.
“It’s all guesswork, really, but speaking to a few people I know in the game they are all looking to the EFL to make the decision for them,” he said.
“Even if players don’t get sent home it’s only a matter of time before some of them will have to take it into their own hands for the sake of their children or grandparents, etc.
“You can’t see them coming back and playing at the start of April as they are currently planning to do, so I just hope clubs are being given the right guidance from the EFL and the powers that be.”
Source
A statement from the league issued yesterday confirmed that they will work towards a “successful conclusion” to the 2019/20 campaign but are unable to commit to exactly when fixtures will recommence.
The uncertainty over the scale and extent of the coronavirus outbreak mean the EFL will have to seek advice from the government on when they press ahead, or whether games can be played behind closed doors, as has been suggested.
Davies is happy to hear, however, that the season will be settled after widespread speculation that it could be ended early – or even restarted altogether.
“They absolutely have to finish the season off, even if it is behind closed doors, or if it rolls into when next season would have started,” he told The Bolton News, accepting that player contracts - which run to the end of June in many cases - could be an issue.
“It might mean doing away with the cup competitions or the international friendlies but I think for the sake of completing the season, it should be done.
“I can’t see any fairer way of doing it. You couldn’t rip it up and start again. Too much has happened.”
Wanderers have declined to comment on any aspect of the lockdown, or their own financial issues therein, but players are due to report to training this morning (Thursday) and tomorrow.
A number of clubs have asked their players to train independently and closed their facilities down – another option that Bolton have refused to comment on – and Davies believes the EFL will play a key role in ensuring the right choice is taken.
“It’s all guesswork, really, but speaking to a few people I know in the game they are all looking to the EFL to make the decision for them,” he said.
“Even if players don’t get sent home it’s only a matter of time before some of them will have to take it into their own hands for the sake of their children or grandparents, etc.
“You can’t see them coming back and playing at the start of April as they are currently planning to do, so I just hope clubs are being given the right guidance from the EFL and the powers that be.”
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