First and foremost, we hope that everyone is safe and healthy. We recognize that football, even for those of us that love the game, is secondary compared to the health and well-being of family, friends and communities.

And yet, we love football too! We miss it! This is the time when we could use it most!

We begin today with an overview of just the facts about where things stand at the moment, beginning with the news from today in the Premier League.

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English Premier League:

From the official English Premier League statement:

“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. The restart date is under constant review with all stakeholders, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic develops and we work together through this very challenging time.”

“With this, there is a combined objective for all remaining domestic league and cup matches to be played, enabling us to maintain the integrity of each competition. However, any return to play will only be with the full support of the Government and when medical guidance allows.”

Full statement here.

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UEFA — EURO 2020 and Champions League:

“All national team matches for men and women due to be played in June 2020 are postponed until further notice. This includes the play-off matches for UEFA EURO 2020 and qualifying matches for UEFA Women’s EURO 2021

All other UEFA competition matches, including the centralised international friendly matches, remain postponed until further notice.”

Full statement here:

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Olympics:

“New dates for the games of the XXXII Olympiad, in 2021. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be celebrated from 23 July to 8 August 2021. They also agreed on new dates for the paralympic games, which will be celebrated from 24 August until 5 September 2021.”

Full Statement here.

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MLS:

“Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that it was extending the suspension of all matches, with a target return date of May 10.”

Full Statement here.

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In other words, no football for a while (and no baseball either!).

There are so many questions from a footballing and EPL fantasy perspective here.

If the season does restart, (although I think that is unlikely), when will it? How will they fit the games in without interfering with next season and over scheduling?

If the season doesn’t start, what happens to the league? Are Liverpool champions? What about Champions Leagues spots? Relegation? Promotion?

The same is true for our own fantasy leagues. If we don’t restart, does the current league winner take the prize? If we do resume, what about waivers, transfers, injured players, make up games, etc?

We will continue to keep you posted!

And then there’s just keeping up morale! We need to connect online to compensate for our self-imposed “social-distancing”.

So please join us for the Saturday Virtual-Pub at NMA! We’ll be looking for you at 13:00 Pacific, 16:00 Eastern, and 20:00 UK!

Stay safe and healthy and well!

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Please chill an adult beverage, prep your questions, and bring news of the day (or comfort for those who stand and deliver). At Never Manage Alone, You’ll Never Walk Alone (Get it now, after all these years?)

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