A leading sports lawyer says out-of-contract players in England can ignore FIFA proposals and leave their clubs at the end of June, even if the season has not resumed.

Nick De Marco QC, who has represented sports governing bodies, players, clubs and agents since 2002, says players will be entitled to “walk away” from clubs if their contracts expire on June 30.

Earlier this week, FIFA proposed that contracts are “extended until such time that the season does actually end”, and asked for the same principle to be applied to contracts due to begin when the new season starts.  Read more... (458 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters warned of a potential £1billion loss due the coronavirus pandemic if the season is not resumed.

“We face a £1billion loss, at least, if we fail to complete season 2019-20, and further losses going forward if the seriousness of the pandemic deepens and extends into the future.”

Masters argued it was the right of Premier League clubs, such as Tottenham, Newcastle, Norwich and Bournemouth, to utilize furloughing in the circumstances, having seen Liverpool reverse their decision following widespread criticism.

Masters added:  Read more... (423 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

The Premier League has announced that the 2019-20 season ‘will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so’.

The English top flight had initially hoped to resume on April 30 at the earliest, but that is no longer realistic due to the coronavirus pandemic not yet peaking in the UK.

This afternoon, it announced in a statement that the campaign had been placed on hiatus until ‘it is safe and appropriate’ to start up again.

It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May – and that the 2019/20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.  Read more... (343 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)