UEFA chief warns elite Euro trophies ‘abandoned’
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says playing behind closed doors is a better option than scrapping the season, but warned the Champions League and Europa League could be abandoned if coronavirus restrictions remain into September.
European football’s club competitions are indefinitely postponed, with the finals of both competitions called off and no new dates allocated due to the escalating Covid-19 pandemic.
However, UEFA remains intent on finishing the Champions League and Europa League seasons.
Ceferin welcomes the idea of playing in front of empty stands if measures continue to restrict movement, although conceded that there will have to be cut-off date.
“The fact is that we really don’t know much,” the president of European football’s governing body told ZDF Sportstudio.
“We are waiting for the development of this terrible situation in the world, and mainly in Europe.
“Football isn’t the same without fans. But it is definitely better to play with fans than without fans.
“The thing is, football is absolutely not the same without spectators.
“But it is still better to play the game behind closed doors and have it on TV, which is what the people need and want because it brings positive energy to their homes, than not playing at all.
“That’s what the people want, that brings positive energy, and it will be July or August. We can’t play it out in September or October.”
Pushed on whether the season could be abandoned totally, Ceferin said: “If the authorities do not allow us to play, then we cannot play.”
TOWN still do not know how or when their 2019-20 Championship season will end.
Professional football is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
After a disastrous start to the campaign under Jan Siewert, the arrival of Danny Cowley has turned Town’s fortunes around and while they are still in a relegation battle, they do sit clear of the relegation zone with nine games to go.
With no guarantee of when, or if the season will restart again, we have looked at statistics from WhoScored.com to form who they believe has been the Terriers’ best XI this season.
Only players to have played 18 or more league games have been selected. So, who makes our statistics-based team of the season?
On loan from Liverpool, Polish stopper Kamil Grabara has kept clean sheets in five of his 28 appearances this season.
Grabara has been the first choice stopper for most of this season, however, an injury sustained in the win over Hull City in January has sidelined him ever since, leading to the deadline day loan arrival of Jonas Lossl.
Premier League winner Danny Simpson has featured 23 times this season in the league and at 33, is still playing an important role in this team. Simpson has made more interceptions than any other Town player this season.
German defender Christopher Schindler has been a mainstay for the Terriers ever since first arriving from 1860 Munich four years ago.
Schindler has shown why he was one of the standout players during Town’s two Premier League seasons and has again been one of the Terrier’s most consistent performers this term.
Trevoh Chalobah has played in midfield all term since arriving on loan from Chelsea but back at Stamford Bridge, he has featured in defence and plays as a makeshift defender in our team.
The England Under-21 international has continued to develop in his second full season in the Championship and will be hopeful that this season does not end in relegation like it did with Ipswich Town last term.
One of Juninho Bacuna’s biggest traits this season has been his versatility, featuring as a full-back and in numerous midfield roles.
Bacuna has scored six goals and added five assists in the league this season, making him one of Town’s most dangerous players going forward.
Elias Kachunga has clocked over 100 appearances for Town, another player that was signed under David Wagner.
In recent months, Kachunga has often operated down the right side of the Terriers’ four-man attack.
Schindler has shown why he was a standout performer in Premier League campaigns
This has been a breakout campaign for academy graduate Lewis O’Brien, who gained his first taste of regular senior football on loan with Bradford City last season.
O’Brien has made more tackles than any of his team-mates this season and the 21-year-old has quickly become a fan’s favourite at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Partnering O’Brien in our allEnglish midfield is experienced head Jonathan Hogg.