Brighton chief exec Paul Barber on revised Premier League schedule

All professional football in England is on hold until April 30 at the earliest and the duration of the season itself has been put back indefinitely due to coronavirus.
Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul BarberBrighton and Hove Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber
Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber

Following a Premier League meeting yesterday, all 20 top flight clubs are said to be determined for the 2019-20 campaign to reach a proper conclusion - ideally before June 30.

A Premier League source was reported as saying, that unless they are blocked from doing so by the government, the intention is to restart the season from April 30.

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It's impossible to guarantee this however and only yesterday the government announced the closure of all schools from today.

When and if football does return this season, Brighton will have some crucial matches to squeeze in as they look to maintain their Premier League status. Albion are two points above the drop zone with nine matches remaining.

Albion's remaining Premier League fixtures are: Arsenal (h), Leicester (a), Manchester United (h), Norwich City (a), Liverpool (h), Manchester City (h), Southampton (a), Newcastle (h), Burnley (a).

But it's a tricky task indeed to say what any revised fixture list would look.

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Brighton chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber agreed: "It is too early to speculate. When the time is right we will be guided by the Premier League and local authorities as to how and when our postponed matches can be played.

"At this stage we must all accept there are many more pressing priorities than football. In this regard, I ask our supporters to continue to show the patience and humility they have since the start of this crisis, and as soon as we are in a position to do so we will communicate more information to our supporters.

"Yesterday all 20 member clubs of the Premier League reached the collective and unanimous decision to postpone fixtures until 30 April, and at the same time made a firm commitment to resume and complete the 2019/20 domestic season as soon as it was safe and practical to do so.

"While we are very realistic that there is no guarantee we will be able to resume matches in six weeks’ time, the aim to finish the season is one shared by the The Football Association, the EFL, the women’s professional game, the PFA and LMA with regard to all domestic competitions."