MOT View: Precedent set in Europe and it must mean Leeds are promoted if 19/20 season ends early
The first major league in Europe has just set a precedent that could have a major knock-on effect for Leeds United.
In Belgium, the Jupiler Pro League’s board of directors have recommended the season is ended and results stand as is.
It’s not been made official yet but it looks like it’s a formality now. Prominent Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur has said it’s “The end of the Belgian league” and it “means a first league title for Simon Mignolet”.
Terreur says it has the approval of all teams and it’s likely that there will be no relegation and two teams promoted to make it an 18-team league next season.
It might seem clearcut. Bruges were 15 points clear of Gent with one game remaining in the regular season.
However, after 30 games the Belgian league splits and the points from the top six are halved (and rounded up) and teams play each other again twice.
So, that means that the lead Club Brugge have is actually seven points with 11 games to go.
Leeds have a seven-point lead over Fulham with nine games to go.
If the 19/20 season can’t be completed then it makes total sense to follow the precedent that has been set in Europe and promote Leeds as champions.
We still hope the remaining nine fixtures can be played – and we’re 100% sure that Leeds would go on to win promotion.
If not, the EFL must follow the Belgium model.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Disgrace’, ‘Shut up Gary’ – Many Leeds fans & Graham Smyth react to Lineker Twitter message