Relegation unfathomable if season cannot be completed – Bloom
Brighton owner Tony Bloom has claimed it would be unfathomable to relegate clubs from the Premier League if the season cannot be completed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Arguments have raged this week after a Scottish Professional Football League vote led to the lower league season beingended,withPartickThistle and Stranraer demoted as a result.
With no return date set for the Premier League and a growing focus on June 30 as a potential cut-off date, a repeat is possible in England, but Bloom believes it would be unfair to relegate any club under the circumstances.
"I don't foresee a situation, if the season's not played out, thatteamswillgetrelegatedon a points-per-game basis," he said. "I just don't think it's fathomable that a team which is not allowed to play out the season may lose out on 0.2 points based on this system, and also it does not take into account the strength of the team you have not played."
The Seagulls would survive if the season was ended early as Graham Potter's side sit two points clear of the drop zone occupied by Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich - with nine games left to play.
"You may get a title winner, obviously Liverpool deserve it, you may use that criteria for EuropeanqualificationbutIdo not see how anyone can vote for that, certainly the per cent needed(70percent),forteams to get relegated. I really cannot foresee that."
ThereisnowamoveinScotlandforarealignmentofthedivisions which may save those facing relegation, but Bloom said there has been no discussion yet of expanding the Premier
League under a similar scenario.
"When we are talking to Premier League clubs and the PremierLeagueitselfit'sabout finishing this season," he said.
"If we get to a situation whereby it's decided the season can't be concluded, then we need to have serious conversations about what's going to happen next season."
Bloom also expects the Financial Fair Play rules to be relaxed due to the crisis. Burnley have said they could lose as much as £50million if the season cannot be finished.
"We are going to be well under the FFP numbers," Bloom said. "It may affect other clubs.
"It has not been discussed butIamsureifthevirusmeant people were going under the numbers it would be taken into consideration because it wouldbeunfairtogetapenalty because of the virus."