CRISIS - BUT RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYS ON
PLAYERS want football’s authorities to find a solution to get the season finished.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who is on loan at AC Milan, insisted the Premier League and every league across Europe should not be abandoned.
Euro 2020 is expected to be postponed until next summer when a UEFA crisis meeting is held tomorrow.
Premier League bosses will meet on Thursday to discuss contingency plans.
And Begovic insists it is vital the season is decided “on the pitch” whenever the suspension is lifted. He said: “There has to be a solution and hopefully the decision makers will see it that way.
“We have to finish the season. It’s going to be a different way but there’s got to be a positive way to end it.
“First and foremost we have to shut everything
down, get this virus under control, get everyone fit and healthy again.
“I think the sooner everything gets shut down, the sooner it will all be over. “Then it’s just a way of trying to fit in all of the games. I really don’t like it when people talk about cancelling, I don’t like behind closed doors because, ultimately, we’re competitors.
“The fans want to see it out on the pitch. “There has to be a way of deciding things on the pitch – promotion, relegation, Champions League places, championships – and that’s the way we have to do it.
“We could have a football feast. Six or seven weeks of games every night and rekindling the fun of the game. “It’s a difficult time, especially here in Italy, and I think there’s a way football can really empower everything and bring joy back to the people.”
West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady sparked fury when she called for the English season to be declared “null and void”.
The 20 Premier League clubs will discuss playing behind closed doors, finishing the season early with potentially no relegation and even the league going up to 22 clubs.
Begovic, who has already played one game behind closed doors, said: “I don’t think it’s a solution. It’s a collective thing. People lose
■ out on the experience – players, staff and, of course, the fans. It’s a religion, it’s a culture, it’s a way of life.
“It was strange playing behind closed doors.
“You are used to having the fans, when you’re the home team you get a crowd advantage, people push you and support you.
“It was so quiet. The buzz wasn’t there, the adrenalin wasn’t there and it definitely hurt as the home team.
“I’d rather just delay everything and get the fans in there. The game as we know it, it’s with fans.”