‘I don’t think it will happen’ – Jim White makes PL claim that could have major impact on Leeds
talkSPORT broadcaster Jim White doesn’t think the Premier League will vote to play the remaining games of the season in neutral venues – and that could create an impasse that could have a major knock-on effect for Leeds United.
The next Premier League meeting is on Friday this week and they are pushing for agreement between clubs on Project Restart – a vote of 14 is needed for any plans to progress.
According to the Mirror, there are six clubs at the bottom of the league against the proposal – Brighton, West Ham, Watford, Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich. They want relegation taken off the table if they have to play at neutral venues.
That wouldn’t be enough for Project Restart to get voted down, with a 14-6 vote enough to see the plans ratified.
However, talking on the White & Sawyer show (talkSPORT, Monday 10.30am), White said he didn’t think it would get through.
“I don’t think it will happen,” White said. “I don’t think the neutral venues will happen. I think there will be plenty of twists and turns but there is vociferous opposition to it.
“We’ll know more later in the week but it’s all about integrity at the moment.”
His co-host Natalie Sawyer said, “If you’re questioning the integrity of the league you have to have relegation. That’s what the rules of the league say, you have promotion from the Championship and relegation.”
Pundit Danny Murphy said that he didn’t think the players would be bothered about playing in neutral venues, although he admitted they may have to tow the club-line in public.
“I really believe finishing the season is crucial in many ways,” Murphy said.
“I don’t think many players would be bothered about playing on neutral grounds. They might say something different because of what the club wants them to say but I don’t think they’d mind.”
All Leeds fans will be waiting for news from the Premier League meeting this Friday.
If the vote is passed then it could mean football re-starts as soon as June 12 in the top-flight, and that could be key to Leeds getting promoted.
Clubs at the bottom want relegation taken off the table if they have to play in neutral venues but, as Natalie Sawyer pointed out, that would seriously undermine the integrity of the competition.
White doesn’t think the vote will be passed and that would be a major blow for Leeds. We can’t see the Premier League being able to stage games in home stadiums because of the fears around fans congregating.
And that would leave the Premier League at an impasse with a narrow window left to finish the season.
That could still happen on a points-per-game basis but if they decide to take relegation off the table or void the season, it could spell disaster for Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports to broadcast Leeds United special at peak time on Monday night