Leeds get major promotion boost but fans set to suffer after landmark UEFA ruling confirmed
The Premier League has decided that football cannot resume in May after what the Sun called an “unprecedented” four-hour meeting of all 20 stakeholders on Friday – however, there was great news for Leeds United fans.
The Premier League also stated it remains committed to finishing the season when it is safe to do so and announced a £125m hardship fund for EFL and National League clubs.
Friday’s ruling is significant because it reaffirms the commitment to finish the 19/20 season, which is a significant boost for Leeds’ promotion hopes.
And the extra financial help from the Premier League should ensure that lower league clubs can survive – also essential for the EFL to commit to finishing the season.
UEFA have cleared the summer for the domestic leagues and July and August are now being mooted as possible re-start dates.
However, after the Premier League meeting, UEFA delivered a landmark ruling lifting the ban on showing 3pm games on Saturday – a big pointer that games would likely play behind closed doors when football does resume.
According to the Mirror, this was requested by the Premier League and the FA and it means that top-flight and EFL games can now be shown live on TV on Saturday afternoons.
Sky and BT are planning to show extra games and the thinking is that showing more games will help keep fans away from stadiums.
The UEFA statement said: “Taking into account the current exceptional circumstances, UEFA has lifted the ‘blocked hours’ protection granted to the England and Scotland for the remainder of the 2019-20 season football season, following requests from the relevant national associations as a result of measures taken in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
It means that while the 19/20 season is likely to be finished, fans will have to watch Leeds United get promoted on TV.
While not ideal, we think this is much more preferable to the season getting voided.
In other Leeds United news, Radrizzani talks QSI after £120m deal reported close, details when new investment will happen