Premier League facing "difficult decisions" as coronavirus football blackout heightens financial challenges

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Steve Agnew, First team coach of Newcastle United (L) and Steve Bruce, Manager of Newcastle United (R) inspect the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Newcastle United, with their 19 top flight rivals, have been forced to put their season on hold with just nine games left to play due to the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the UK.

And while football is taking a backseat in national consciousness in this time of emergency, the resolution of the sport remains up for debate with increasing calls for the 2019/20 season to be expunged from the record.

The Premier League had on Friday been part of a summit that included the PFA and the EFL.

The PFA had called the summit after clubs throughout the leagues had requested that their players take wage deferrals in order to protect the club’s financial positions through the long postponement.

Leeds United were the first club to publicly confirm on Thursday that their players and senior management would defer their wages.

The statement, in full, reads: “The Premier League, EFL and PFA met today and discussed the growing seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was stressed that the thoughts of all three organisations continue to be with everyone affected by the virus.

“The Premier League, EFL and PFA agreed that difficult decisions will have to be taken in order to mitigate the economic impact of the current suspension of professional football in England and agreed to work together to arrive at shared solutions.

“The leagues will not recommence until 30 April at the earliest. They will only do so when it is safe and conditions allow.

“Further meetings will take place next week with a view to formulating a joint plan to deal with the difficult circumstances facing the leagues, their clubs, players, staff and fans.”

According to reports in the Athletic and via TalkSPORT, an increasing number of Premier League clubs have reservations about restarting the current campaign amid the coronavirus crisis.

At a meeting last week representatives of the 20 Premier League clubs agreed that finishing this season in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic was paramount, even if that entailed putting top flight games behind-closed-doors.