Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Methinks Southampton's chief executive is extremely optimistic.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51990101

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

All English football below National League level to be voided.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...l-to-be-voided

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

That's going to help one of my local clubs that was poised for relegation again, which would probably have been the final straw.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Not so good for one team who had won 27 on the trot and were 20 points clear.:(

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

They will be well and truly disappointed with that outcome.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Many clubs will just be happy to be in existence and playing in August. Neither seems guaranteed for many.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Even the mighty Barcelona are considering a pay cut of up to 70% for all of their players for as long as the coronavirus lockdown lasts in Spain but talks are still ongoing between the club and the players.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Tbh a pay cut for players paid by the million won't hurt too much. Those at the bottom rung of professional football is a different matter. Barnet have already made loads of redundancies and look to be on brink.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Indeed Barnet won't be the only smaller club that will feel the effects of this sadly.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Ridiculous

Noone knows when this situation will ease it will probably be months.

What should be happening is next season's leagues are cancelled.

Play all the rest of this seasons games throughout next season.

Play all next seasons cup competitions.

Noone loses out or gains unfairly.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

l quite agree Julian as its whether they have got the will to do that.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Money from sky etc will decide unfortunately Den. :(

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Premier League notified of Saudi Arabia bid for Newcastle United.

Seems like they're taking advantage of the current situation :erm: They're also proposing Ashley might be at the highest point for selling and will use the liquid cash from a sale to basically exploit the struggling retail businesses around the UK into selling up. Given that Frasers Group aren't in a position to invest directly.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Of course less than a few hours later, Newcastle become presumably the first club to send all their staff home and take advantage of the government's 80% wage payout. This being one of only a handful of clubs to turn profit and stay net debt free over the years. Expected nothing less from Mike Ashley.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

The Athletic report Saudi Arabia takeover of Newcastle United is agonisingly close. A deal a year in the making is coming to an end.

They're making me start to believe it. :erm:

Edit: Newcastle submit paperwork to Premier League regarding sale of club.

This is timed to avoid public backlash. They've literally used the current situation to quickly buy up a football club.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Never mind, Gateshead need some support, get behind them ? It'll be cheaper and more fun. :)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

It's as close as its ever going to be. At no point has paperwork been submitted to the League in any other takeover attempt. Sources say Ashley is finally a willing seller and both Newcastle and PIF (Saudi) have submitted the takeover to the Premier League.

Fit and proper persons test has to be completed.
The deal has to be drawn up and signed.

How does Saudi Arabia pass a fit and proper persons test?

Money or Staveley goes through it in place. The structure of the bid is 10% Staveley, 10% Reubens and 80% Saudi Arabia.

This will be the first time Saudi Arabia have purchased a sports venture though their public means rather than Shell and investment vehicles.

This would also make Newcastle the richest club in world football by some distance.

On top of this, it's thought Red Bull are scouting out a Premier League team and are waiting for a potential deal collapse and/or are looking at West Ham United.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

One thing that there does seem to be a growing moral clamour for is Premiership managers and players to take pay cuts for as long is needed during the Coronavirus pandemic crisis as Barcelona have just done.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Seems to me like talks with Sky and the PL aren't going the way the PL needed them to go. Talks of withholding TV money which is the core element of a clubs income.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

I guess Sky reckon if customers are withholding their sport subscriptions, then their are going to withhold their money to the PL. I'm guessing that both Sky and the PL clubs will still exist after all this is over; clubs further down the pyramid might not be so lucky. Maybe its time the ludicrous level of tv money/players wages were reviewed anyway - it's all got silly with the obscene amounts.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Fundamentally the league aren't providing a product. As Mr K states Sky (and Virgin) subscribers are taking advantage and reducing their subscriptions accordingly.

The Premier League is a £150m a month product to Sky/BT - there's no reason why they should get squeezed in the middle between a public who doesn't want to pay and a league demanding payment.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

As expected, the media have already noted that both Newcastle and Spurs turn profit and have considerable cash balances. Enough to keep Newcastle afloat for up to 6 months even if Sky didn't pay out and further in Spurs case.

Naturally it's not that simple of course, with transfer windows to be factored in to keep the club competitive and the other added extras. This is still going to turn sour really fast.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Get rid of the wage bill, and hire some local players? Might be the way forward, and then teams the the would actually represent their cities, and have genuine local identity rather than being vacuous merchandising operations. Oh and tell TV and their money to get stuffed. It's a radical idea and football would win ;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Its a excellent idea but that is why it has no chance of succeeding Mr K.;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Well if if clubs are struggling now might be the time to reset the game/clock in this and other countries. Football at the top level has lost its identity, just a few that are making obscene amounts of money.

But you're right i'm probably being romantic/naive again, my worst fault ;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Nothing wrong with that Mr K.;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Lots of people have been growing impatient waiting for the Premiership 'bubble' to burst, but while there is still 'silly money' to be thrown at it from mega rich owners, companies, and countries it's not going to happen.

Clubs, players and their agents are taking advantage of the mega cash flow . . not helped by those in charge, who keep renaming competitions based on the highest bidder :rolleyes:

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

It seems the Premier League clubs have finally taken on board the criticism of the last few days.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52148955

https://www.theguardian.com/football...s-fund-for-nhs

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Liverpool become the latest club to furlough non playing staff.......

LINK :(

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Well, thats a PR disaster for them (IMO).

I know a lot of people who thought it would have been unfair to abandon this season with them so far in front (and hence miss out on being champions), but now, they are going to think "serves them right if they miss out". There is absolutely no way they are in financial trouble, so just greedy.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Its a mighty PR disaster for them and the other clubs who have furloughed non playing staff as these clubs can afford to have them on full pay for as long as is needed..:mad::mad:

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Some clubs do have considerable cash reserves. However, I pointed out and detailed how PL clubs could survive this fairly easily. That was with games going ahead behind closed doors though.

If we can disregard the stable clubs, Spurs, Newcastle, Liverpool (I think) and a few others. we reach standardised problems, too many to list but i'll give examples.

Problem A) Income - The main one, the top source of income in the PL is both prize money and TV money, accounting for up to 80% of some clubs. The league is now further away from finishing and on top of that, Sky nor BT can show games if they're not happening and they're undoubtedly holding onto the TV payments.

Problem B) Operating costs - Some clubs wage bill can be as high as 70% of their turnover. Doesn't take a financial expert to see how bad that can get really quickly.

Problem C) How clubs financially operate, a lot of clubs spend beyond their means and levy that against future money. Example: Newcastle spent rampantly under Freddie Shepherd, he borrowed money against future season ticket sales and anything else he could levy. PL clubs do this with TV money.

Problem D) Clubs that pay in instalments for transferred players. Teams with a negative or low cash balance will be unable to make their contracted payments to other clubs.

The list goes on and on and every issue links into each other. They all lead to increasing debts for a decent amount of clubs. Obviously the issue of teams with positive bank balances furloughing is one for the moral deciders.

Ultimately, the goal is the resume games behind closed doors at least. This gets the TV money flowing. I believe following that, the issues around the game in England can be solved fairly easily. Keep the 30% from PL clubs going and fund the Championship and below with it.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

l thought this explained things quite well as well adzii on whether the season should be declared null and void.

The arguments for it and the arguments against it.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breaki...st-988720.html

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Once we get going again, we're going to reap the effects for a while yet. I agree with the suggestion being floated around in the media and that both sports and media experts hold which is the next TV deal being considerably lower in price.

This will deflate both wages of players/managers and transfer fees.

That's an actual bubble burst - If clubs fail to predict this themselves and fail to act accordingly to it. Clubs being stuck with players on huge wages and devaluation of their current lineups. The transfer market can balance out, it;s exclusive to the sport. Wages aren't though.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Still very unhappy why they took the decision in the first place but Liverpool have reversed their furlough decision.

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...lough-decision

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Pep Guardiola's mum dies of Covid 19 complications in Barcelona. 😪

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Very sad to hear of that news Jim.:(

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Yep a PR disaster which will haunt them for sure.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Southampton are first PL club to agree wage deferral. Three months initially.

Club will not be using the government furloughing scheme.

LINK

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

'Rumour' is Newcastle was sold on April 8th to Saudi Arabia. Source is within the legal team and fairly solid.

Not really sure what to make of that. Repeat of last time when a supposedly solid source claimed BZG had bought the club.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Sadly another of England's World Cup-winning squad in 1966 has died.:(

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...r-dies-aged-78

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

RIP A great goalie.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Documents starting to appear to suggest Newcastle was sold to PCP capital, RB sports and Media and PIF Saudi Arabia on the 8th April.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Update: £13m deposit paid. £150m financed. It's expected Staveley will take control and will then sell 80% of the shares to PIF Saudi Arabia. Amanda Staveley will retain 10% and The Reubens will gain 10%

With FFP set to be relaxed. This could change the complexion of the Premier League.

I'm not sure how far an announcement is off. The same source that said papers were signed on the 8th was correct and also said May for an announcement.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

David Reuben and brother Simon Reuben are the second richest family in the UK as in horse racing they own sixteen racecourses as part of Arena Racing and they are also a major shareholder in At The Races (ATR), That is just a mall part of their empire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Simon_Reuben

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

I'm expecting the Reubens to be looking at this as a development opportunity. Nothing to do with the football aspect of things. Think Man City - Sports City development and the opportunities that arose for developers when Ethiad/Mansour came along.

There's land around the stadium thought to be untouchable that suddenly becomes touchable when oil money comes knocking.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Yeah l suspect you are certainly on the right road there as regards to development opportunities being the main motive..

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Staveley, RB Media and PIF have entered the fit and proper persons test as of the weekend gone.

A £340m deal has been agreed and Newcastle United will be sold on conclusion of the test. 23 days between this stage and announcement for Man City.

The era of Mike Ashley is finally over.

https://twitter.com/ChronicleNUFC/st...420616194?s=20

Telegraph article locked behind a pay wall.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

EFL & PFA proposal could see up to 25% of players' wages deferred in April.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52285552

---------- Post added at 16:51 ---------- Previous post was at 16:50 ----------

That has to be a good thing..:tu:

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/foot...mpression=true

Something better and not behind a pay wall.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Not sure if you can read it from this link..Newcastle takeover moves closer with £340m deal documents filed

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...e_AvKyLVxYv0jW

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Steve Bruce now favourite as next manager to be sacked.

Rafa Benitez and Massimiliano Allegri frontrunners.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

It will be a shame on Steve Bruce but those two candidates are in the top echelon of world football management.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Sources are unanimous now that Allegri is the next Newcastle manager and will start off with a casual £200 million.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

A world class manager and he will spend the money on the right players if they become available.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

The former Leeds and England defender Norman Hunter has died at the age of 76 after contracting coronavirus.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...r-dies-aged-76

A true Leeds legend.:(

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

He'll be biting legs in Football Heaven - RIP, Mr Hunter.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Absolutely as l remember his nickname of Bites Yer Legs Hunter.:)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Interestingly an article in yesterday’s Telegraph had ref Michael Oliver re reffing the notorious 1970 FA Cup replay at Old Trafford. Using today’s standards he would have issued 11 red cards and the game would have been abandoned. Even 20 years earlier ref David Ellerey did a similar exercise and he would have issued 5 red cards. On the day there was just one booking, I vividly remember watching that game and as a neutral (even though Leeds United where generally loathed outside of Leeds ) I was glad that Chelsea won. A different time altogether, brutal and thuggish from both sides. Norman Hunter was typical of the time, hard, dirty if he could get away with it ( not like that wimp Souness) but took as much stick as he gave without wingeing.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Yasir Al-Rumayyan set to become Newcastle chairman as takeover announcement draws closer.

Checks could be completed in line for next week. How can the world be such a mess but after 13 years of absolute misery under Mike Ashley, Newcastle United are on the verge of becoming the richest club in world football. :erm:
Finer details are starting to appear. PIF looked at both Chelsea and Manchester United, not getting far with either inquiry. Amanda Staveley contacted them with a proposal of buying Newcastle United instead.

There's fear and speculating an announcement could be delayed to prevent a supporter mass gathering.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Excellent news for Newcastle fans and 'big name' players with clever agents.

Maybe not so good news for any home grown talent currently on the books . . . any idea if you'll have some decent youth prospects going cheap? (asking for a friend) ;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Is he a Geordie? Not from Teeside surely !?

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Newcastle born and bred. That’s just how his name sounds in Geordie. It’s actually just old Jim Hunter from Wallsend.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

And his best mate, Gadji Ar-Marra.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Newcastle have one of the worst academies at the top level. To put it into perspective, League One Sunderland have a better facility than Newcastle. Along with many Championship teams.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

sorry but that does make me chuckle :D

. . . been there done that (and worse) with Luton though :erm:

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Newcastle MD Lee Charnley will leave the club following the conclusion of the season. Mutual termination rather than dismissal as the new owners seek to destroy anything affiliated with the Ashley ownership.

Not that it matters but the guy is generally unemployable to top flight clubs. His reputation is non existent and hes the guy behind the potential fiddling that led to the Newcastle HMRC investigation upon which its speculated he spoofed commercial payments for players to fiddle national insurance contributions, notably for Demba Ba which subsequently led to a raid on West Ham to check for the same irregularities (None were found)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Not surprising given the unprecedented circumstances.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Brave punt by The independent but:

Newcastle takeover to be announced by May 1st.

Although seems to be common ground now that it's just a formality, Amazon being the latest to acknowledge Newcastle's Saudi takeover.
https://twitter.com/primevideosport/...483885058?s=20

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Er, take a look at this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWOsd0iX...g&name=900x900

That's absolutely staggering.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

The question is will they appoint the right manager and will they be able to attract the calibre of player that Man City did.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Establishing a foundation is the key. Marquee signings won't boost Newcastle to infinity but they'll lay the same foundations City did which was the ability to attract further players. Its clearly not a quick process but it absolutely pays off. Someone like Bale isn't going to propel it far because he's just not world level but it's a name.

I highly doubt there'll be any massive shock signings in the summer. I'd expect a similar level to that of Robinho. Purely marquee. Your Harry Kane's of the world are safe for now because Newcastle just isn't an attractive prospect for guy that's already waited long enough to win trophies.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Early sources suggest the KSA takeover of Newcastle United has been approved by the Premier League.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Good news then as that was always the last hurdle to be passed adzii.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

The Premier League will hold further talks this week, as it targets a return behind closed doors in June - and it has the backing of the government.

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...return-in-june

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Like the F1 thread. I can see this going ahead until. Someone within a teams camp gets it and they all isolate. Ultimately I'm still in belief that the Premier League will end with a Points per game table.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

I can only hope this doesn't happen while people are still dying.

How much more obscene can football get to protect the grubby tv money that pays inflated salaries.

Chucking a few quid at a made up charity does not hide the blatant greed displayed by the vast majority of footballers.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

The French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons are to be cancelled after French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced no sporting events, even those behind closed doors, could take place before September.

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...ntil-september

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

It’d be hilarious if they flew all the teams over to Germany to do it there following a successful run out by the Bundesliga.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Somehow l cannot see that happening.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

I can think of 800 million good reasons. ;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

True but still unlikely nevertheless.;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Apparently we're just expecting the transfer of funds to complete the KSA takeover of Newcastle.

There's speculation the Premier League will make an announcement beforehand to give reasons on why they passed the deal given recent negative press.

A club and Saudi Arabia announced is expected this week.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Poch offered £19 million per year deal for Newcastle job.
Odds now suspended on it. No one turns that down.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

l was about to post a link to it as its looking pretty inevitable.

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...to-take-charge

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Mauricio Pochettino offered £19m a year . . and currently on 'gardening leave' at £8.5m a year

Silly money, and obviously not the only one out there earning it.

Any idea of when the first Kidnap & Ransom notes will start appearing? :D

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

To be totally honest. I cannot see the football returning until at least September.

Clubs will then go bust.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Depends if the games get going. Advance payments will be pushed through if not, clubs will have to swallow a loss and take on the debt, the latter is the exact reason FFP will be relaxed for about 3 seasons, to allow this to offset, essentially ensuring no top flight clubs go under.

If the games do go ahead, they'll all be fine. It's still unlikely any top flight club is going anywhere without games though.

There's an issue at play here that people are missing. The relaxing of FFP rules, which of course are necessary now for teams to survive. They apply to everyone in the same way however. Think it's coincidence the Saudi's pounced on Newcastle right now? No chance, FFP will increase the threshold of % of loss a club can make. Both Newcastle and City will have a free pass to run absolutely riot in a deflated market and there's absolutely nothing anyone can do about it. PSG will follow suit. Newcastle were facing a prospect of making a loss on paper despite having a decent positive bank balance, ultimately though Mike Ashley is wise to it. The club value will take a decent hit and he'll be left to either A) Put money in again to clear debts, adding to his existing owner loan which is interest free and thus adding to the value of the club but making it harder to sell or B) Sell now at a £50m off asking price deal before the club takes the loss and the value drops lower than this anyway if he chose to take in outside loans with interest.

Of the transfer spend in the summer, given the financial impact, I'll go out on a limb and suggest both clubs will account for up to 40% of the total spend this summer.

Ultimately I think they'll try to play these games but subsequently fail as soon as a Covid-19 infection pipes up. It's inevitable. The league had already stopped before the lock down because they struggled to keep teams out of isolation. This will happen again. For the financial side, teams that had tried and successfully made self sustaining models are about to take a decent hit. The expected lower bids for TV rights are going to have a dire effect on this too. Don't be shocked in 5 years to find a return to the top 4 era in which the elite are fairly uncatchable again.

I can't even weigh in on that debate now for obvious reasons. I will say I'm enjoying the rather glorified flip flop of Saudi state media moving from Man United to Newcastle and announcing it like it's no big deal. ''We support Newcastle now'' Gave me a decent chuckle, you'd be done in for that here.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

How strong are the rumours that Coutinho is going to Newcastle adzil?.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

They'll look at him when they're in. They'll look at everyone when they're in. Don't think they are right now though and don't think Coutinho will come.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Wow, Coutinho would certainly be a step up for Newcastle but I'm surprised that a player of his calibre would seriously consider them.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Money talks though as has been witnessed before at other clubs.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Money talks. Richest club in the league by a casual £230 billion and richest club in the world by some £20-30bn.

Still won't do it though, I'm not sure he's what we're looking for, FFP relaxed but you're looking at multiple signings, not one.

Anyway, It's suspected the PL test hit a hitch last week, I'm thinking piracy. They're still positive the deal is still going ahead but this could still fail.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Nothings over until its signed , sealed and delivered adzii.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has suggested halves of less than 45 minutes should be considered when football resumes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52542756

Gordon Taylor must be living in Planet Wonderland if he seriously thinks this is going to happen.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

It’s a very clever virus though, it may save its best efforts for the second half or even extra time.:rolleyes:

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Given the 2 metre social distancing rules l cannot see how any contact sport can go ahead.

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Zorb football? :D

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...9&d=1588672882

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Are you going to volunteer yourself for the refereeing duties Hugh as Jim perhaps can be one of the linesman.;)

Re: Season 2019/2020 Football
 

Just VAR every decision. No refs or linesmen required. ;)

Satisfied the PFA by introducing plentiful breaks for players.