Watford Roy Hodgson Premier League Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson Premier League Watford

The Premier League has always flaunted themselves as the biggest and most lucrative footballing league in the whole world. But right now, they are perhaps the biggest victims of this lockdown since some reports suggest that if the 2019-20 season cannot be wrapped up then the clubs might have to pay back more than £750m to various broadcasters.

And if this ends up happening then surely a number of Premier League clubs might go into financial meltdown before the new season even begins.

So while some experts and former players have called for the current campaign to be abandoned, the authorities are not giving up hope and have chalked out a number of possible scenarios which could be used to finish the remaining matches.

But no matter which idea is put forward, there’s no denying the clubs, their staff and the players will all have to make a number of sacrifices so that the season can be wrapped up.

And Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is one of the first top-flight managers who has come out to speak on this topic.

The veteran manager has highlighted a long list of issues which the clubs will have to face in the coming few months but at the same time, he has voted in favour of the 2019-20 Premier League season being completed.

“There are lots of forms of entertainment, but the one form that really does bring everyone together is football,” he to Crystal Palace’s official website.

“Everybody is surely missing the game enormously, and like us, I’m sure they will be hopeful that every effort is being placed on bringing it back as soon as possible, once it’s safe to do so.

“Everyone is in total agreement we need an end to this season. We don’t want artificial means of deciding who wins the league, who gets into the Champions League, who gets relegated and promoted.

“Ideally our players would have three or four weeks’ minimum to prepare for the first match back, but I accept there may have to be a squeeze on that timeframe.

“It might mean extra restrictions at our place of work – the training ground – for example.

“It may also mean that we have to play our nine remaining matches in a shorter period of time than we normally would have done, and subsequently receive a shorter break between the seasons.

“But I think with all of these sacrifices – and I am uncomfortable using that word in such a context – everyone will be more than happy to go along with what it takes in order to get playing again as soon as possible in order to get the season finished.”

Hodgson is obviously in favour of finishing the Premier League season much like the authorities but this will all depend on how the pandemic pans out in the coming few weeks.

If the situation cannot be brought under control by the end of May then there’s every chance that the league will have to be abandoned since there will not be enough time to play all the 92 remaining matches.

Read: How the Premier League clubs are planning for the 19-20 season to resume.

Read: FIFA urges all of its 211 members not to be irresponsible.

Read: The fate of the whole 19-20 season lies on one single club.

Read: Is the Premier League officially about to cancel the 2019-20 season?

Read: English clubs need to prepare for the doom & gloom, hints FA chairman.