Unprecedented – Exclusive: Pundit delivers verdict on 19/20 Euro plan that would see Leeds go up
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has said that the Coronavirus crisis could change football for the next two or three seasons.
The EFL and the Premier League are still committed to finishing the season but one major European league, the Jupiler Pro League in Belgium, has voted to end the 19/20 season and declare Club Brugge as champions.
Prominent Belgium journalist Kristof Terreur has said no decision has been made on promotion and relegation to the top flight although he said it was likely there will be no relegation and two teams will be promoted to make it an 18-team league next season.
However, Robinson said that a similar decision in England that would see Leeds promoted would prove more complicated.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said, “I don’t think you could just do this in the Premier League and Championship and promote Leeds and West Brom. What about the play-offs?
“How are you going to pick the third team to go up, or do you just pick the team in third place, which would be Fulham.
“Anyway it’s done it’s going to be an unprecedented season. It’s going to change football for the next two or three seasons.
“If you’re talking about putting more teams in leagues you’re going to change the format of the competition.
“It’s not as straightforward as saying two up and two down becaue of the knock-on effect it will have on football in the UK.”
The EFL, Premier League, UEFA and FIFA are all committed to finishing the season, and La Liga president Javier Tebas said on Tuesday he is confident the domestic leagues can be finished – albeit behind closed doors – in August.
He put forward three potential re-start dates for the 19/20 season that ranged from late May to late June.
That would be our preferred option with any thoughts of stopping the league now surely open to legal challenges.
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