Data Map: The 2019 European Super Cup is held in Istanbul, Turkey. Liverpool defeated Chelsea by a penalty shootout 7: 6 to win the European Super Cup this season. The picture shows Salah confronting Kanter in the game.
Chinanews client Beijing April 3 (Wang Hao) In the face of the epidemic, the Belgian League became the first European stadium to "turn in the papers". Recently, the league board decided to end the league early after discussion. However, this not only failed to ease the increasingly tense situation in European football, but instead drew an open letter from UEFA with an implicit warning. Against the backdrop of the spread of the epidemic, the major European football leagues are in a dilemma.
A fateful special season
According to foreign media reports, UEFA warned in the letter that if the domestic league is cancelled without approval, the team may not be able to qualify for the Champions League or the UEFA. "It is extremely important that even under the influence of such an epidemic, Nor can we stop our event from being decided on the field. All championship titles are awarded based on the results of the game. "
Data map: On April 1, local time, a huge banner projected by lights appeared on the iconic Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, calling for "hope and unity" in the epidemic. The picture shows the Italian flag at the top of Matterhorn.
At the same time, UEFA President Cheferin said: "We believe the football game will restart in the next few months. At present, the decision to abandon the domestic league is too early." The aspects are often quite effective, but at the moment when the European epidemic situation is difficult to be optimistic, UEFA ’s "combination boxing" does not seem to give hope.
Players, coaches or staff are infected in many European football leagues. For example, about 35% of the Valencia Club La Liga employees are infected with the new crown virus. The European Football League, represented by the five major leagues, has also announced its suspension. Therefore, the sound of cancellation of the league gradually began to appear. The defending champion of Ajax, Ajax, directly called for the cancellation of the Dutch League this season.
However, UEFA's warning makes the cost of ending the season directly in major leagues. In fact, even without such warnings, major leagues need to consider a series of issues that may arise in order to make a decision to cancel the season.
Data Map: The 2019 European Super Cup is held in Istanbul, Turkey. Liverpool defeated Chelsea by a penalty shootout 7: 6 to win the European Super Cup this season. The picture shows Liverpool striker Firmino shooting in the game.
Difficult funding issues
After the shutdown of the major European football leagues, a very real problem gradually emerged-will the wages be paid as usual after the game is gone?
To date, many giants have set an example by announcing salary cuts for their team members and staff to help the club weather the storm. For example, Serie A giant Juventus reached an agreement with the players to reduce their salary from March to June; La Liga Barcelona also announced a collective salary reduction of 70%.
This is obviously an expedient measure in the case of the temporary suspension of the league, and if the league is eventually cancelled this season, the income impact on the club, players and staff will be more serious.
According to Spanish media, after announcing the suspension of the league, the Spanish Football League has calculated the possible losses for each team. If all the remaining events are cancelled, the total loss may be as high as 678 million euros.
Data Map: In the first round of the 2019 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona set a goal at home with Camp Nou defeating Liverpool 3-0.
According to foreign media reports, if the Premier League cannot be completed this season, the Premier League will refund 762 million pounds of broadcast revenue due to violation of the agreement.
Decreasing league income will directly affect club income. Some clubs with deep foundations and rich wealth can tighten their belts, but some small clubs may be difficult to survive.
Previously, the well-known club in the Slovak League, Zilina, because the 17 players in the team did not agree with the salary reduction, they could only cancel their contract and enter the asset liquidation stage. If the major European leagues cancel this season, how many clubs like Zilina will have?
Announcement on the official website of Zilina regarding the liquidation of assets by the club.
In the same way, the income of big players has dropped sharply this season. Compared to their total income, the impact may not be so "fatal". But the bottom players and staff members' income has fallen sharply. How do they live?
Intricate points situation
If the league is cancelled this season, there is still a direct question, who is the winner? How is the relegation team determined? How to qualify for the Champions League next season?
Taking the five major European leagues as an example, there are currently about 10 rounds of games that have not been played. Except for Liverpool in the Premier League and Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 in the standings, the other league titles still have great suspense. The Champions League qualifications and relegation teams are far from settled.
For example, Serie A, which was originally scheduled to play in 38 rounds, is currently fiercely competing for the championship. Juventus has pushed Lazio to the top of the list by 1 point after 26 rounds. Ranked 4th ahead of 5th place Rome 3 points, the Champions League qualification competition is also fierce.
Data map: The 2019 UEFA Champions League 1/8 finals round, Serie A giant Juventus sit at home 3: 0 Lectra Atletico Madrid, thus reversing the promotion to the Champions League quarter-finals with a total score of 3: 2 in two rounds. The picture shows Ronaldo hitting a penalty.
In addition, 3 of the 20 Serie A teams in the relegation zone still have the possibility of theoretical relegation. Among them, Lecce, 18th, is only 3 points behind Udinese, 14th.
If calculated based on the results before the shutdown, then it seems unfair to those teams that have lost their championship, Champions League qualification or relegation because of this.
But if the results of this season are directly cancelled, it will not be fair to those teams that have already determined a large lead. For example, Liverpool, if not suspended, they only need to win two more games to get the first league championship in team history. If the champion passes by because of the epidemic, isn't it a waste of time for players to spend most of the season?
Data Map: The 2019 European Super Cup is held in Istanbul, Turkey. Liverpool defeated Chelsea by a penalty shootout 7: 6 to win the European Super Cup this season. The picture shows Liverpool holding the championship trophy.
Surprisingly bold proposal
It was mentioned in the UEFA letter that the game is expected to restart in July or August. Regarding this statement, I do not know how the parties receiving the letter felt. However, judging from the current status of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, whether this solution can be realized requires a big question mark.
Previously, the European Cup originally scheduled to open on June 12 this year, local time, has been postponed to June 11 to July 11, 2021 local time. Under such circumstances, when will the European Football League be restarted, I am afraid no one can give an accurate answer.
According to the "Mirror" report, recently when the Premier League club leaders discussed how to complete the remaining Premier League games, some people proposed the idea of going to China to complete the remaining games, but this proposal was opposed by most representatives.
Data map: In the final round of the 2019 Super League, Guangzhou Evergrande defeated Shanghai Shenhua 3: 0 at home and won the Super League championship for the 8th time in team history. The picture shows Wei Shihao in the game.
Chinese fans may be full of question marks when they see this news. After all, it is not certain when their football league can resume. This "magic" proposal also highlights the dilemma of some European football leagues from the side.
In fact, not only the European Football League, but also many other sports leagues around the world are facing this dilemma. The sudden outbreak interrupted the athletes' dreams and affected the income of countless people. For the sports industry, it is a very big blow.
On April 1, British time, the English Players Union, the Premier League, the English Football League and the English Football League Coaches Association (LMA) held meetings to further discuss a series of challenges brought by the epidemic. Everyone agrees that football should only return if it is safe and appropriate.
If you want to get out of the predicament, I am afraid that major sports leagues need to further communicate and discuss according to the specific situation, in order to be able to make a decision that can minimize losses. May the shadow of the epidemic dissipate as soon as possible, so that the sports league can return to sports itself. (Finish)