TV riches means calling it off is not an option

IT WAS the decision they couldn’t afford not to take.

Ultimately, the £3bn TV contract was the biggest factor in pushing the Premier League to get games back on again – and to complete the season.

Sky’s contract is basically 128 games each year multiplied by three and that, along with BT Sport’s deal, is what bankrolls the top flight.

That is why the fixture list must be completed even if it is behind closed doors, why next season can only start after this campaign ends and why they simply cannot afford to default on the deal.

It is the same also for the EFL and their deal with Sky because it would be unthinkable for them to lose the TV cash clubs rely on.

The ideal would be to resume football on the weekend of May 2-3 but that would have to be behind closed doors.

That would at least satisfy the TV companies, while armchair fans would be happy after weeks of no games.

No one wants empty, soulless stadiums and it would be a horrible prospect for Liverpool to lift their first Premier League trophy at a deserted Anfield.

But at least there would be a realistic chance of finishing the season over the summer – and allowing the 2020-21 campaign to begin within a reasonable timescale.

Euro 2020 has been put back a year, it means the Champions League and Europa League could get played next season and the whole football calendar does not go into meltdown.

The Football Association also played their part by waiving the archaic rule – as one insider called it – that the domestic season should be finished by June 1, which was originally brought in to give players a rest and also let other sports enjoy the spotlight. TV money is what makes the football world go round.

A few years ago, clubs tried to build super stadiums because gate receipts and income were thought to be the future.

But TV cash has spiralled so much since that nothing else matters.

The video conference was chaired by the Premier League’s Claudia Arney, with Andy Ambler representing the FA, while commercial, TV and legal experts also took part along with the 20 clubs.

Some dialled in by video, others just on the call and yet they all agreed that they must get this season finished and the next started – even if it means playing lots of games in empty stadiums.

Playing behind closed doors, according to one source, was not discussed because it was simply accepted that it will be happening.

Premier League clubs have nine or 10 games each left to play, around £380m worth of TV slots, but the reality is that if they default, then the whole TV contract and billions of pounds is in jeopardy.

That would threaten the very future of top-flight clubs in the same way that EFL clubs – from Championship down to League Two – are facing a very real threat to their survival.

While Sky and BT are prepared to be flexible, it is foreign broadcasters – who pay huge sums for overseas rights – who have been pushing hard and clubs were warned they are likely to be less understanding.

It is understood that ‘null and voiding’ the season – as West Ham chief Karren Brady suggested – is off the table.

And even though no one knows what comes next, they do believe they now have a clear time frame to finally finish the 2019-20 season.