Bournemouth defender Simon Francis believes a null and void Premier League season is still on the cards, saying he wouldn't want to see a scenario where the campaign ends as it currently stands.
The entire UK football pyramid has been wiped out by the coronavirus, with all leagues suspended as the country bids to reduce the rising number of cases and deaths. April 30 is currently the slated return date after chiefs met to discuss the fate of the season on Thursday.
There has been a commitment to ensure the season finishes one way or another, but Francis said there was still a chance of the current campaign being rebooted.
'The season being null and void is a possibility,' he told BBC Sport.
'We have to give ourselves the best chance to prove that we can stay in the Premier League,' said the 33-year-old defender.
'I would hope it's more of an option than ending the season [as it is] and teams get promoted or relegated.'
There had been speculation that next season could see no side get relegated, with the top two in the Championship going up and forming a 22-team league. Other suggestions have included ending the season now using the current standings, something Francis said would upset a number of clubs.
'If you look at the Championship, and you asked teams in the play-offs - a team like Fulham - they wouldn't be happy [with the season ending as it is].
'There are only six points between them and West Brom and getting automatic promotion. I think that will open up too many problems within football to end the season like that.
'I just don't see that going ahead because it's not fair in so many ways.'
A total of 2,700 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the UK so far, with 137 deaths. Before the wide shutdown of domestic games, there had been plans to play games behind doors - until Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was diagnosed with the disease, causing all Premier League games to be called off.
Chelsea winger Calum Hudson Odoi was also confirmed to have contracted the virus the next day, and now many footballers are being forced to train at home to keep themselves sharp until the action returns.
RidzSyrus
1
to be fair..all league should be void..no champion and no relegation
rotbcmort
0
Liverpool I understand that feeling. Searching for something for almost 30yrs, just when your eyes are on the precious and you're to grasp it. You just can't get no for an answer after waiting for so long.
zukabdklrt
1
one thing i know season cannot be void or null until it finished because null, void and outbreak not in the premier league act to end up league. the last option is to increase the number of participants in 20/21 season and declear Liverpool champions 2019/20, as Scotland is heading to right now.
zukabdklrt
0
people are just stupid, for thinking about tittle than development. the coronavirus is not affecting Liverpool and their players but everybody that is living on planet Earth and I don't want it to last in Africa after finished in Europe, Asia and American. for eg if coronavirus starts in Africa, what will you think will happen? the league in Asia, Europe and America will go on peaceful and their will be restrictions in flight coming to Africa etc. so when you wake in the morning pray and let's ask God for forgiveness because we don't Know where we are heading to. God loves all of us and he cannot send this evil virus that is spreading all over the world on us.
zukabdklrt
0
Francis you think we care for their down fall. the league is going to continue behind close door or fans restricted on entering stadium by reducing capacity. my darling Francis for sure burnmouth and your order conterpath will relegated as their is no food for hiddlers.
Venbkmnps
0
That the good decision. No champion. No relegation. Bye bye EPL title for Liverporkporkpork[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
a jealous devil for sure...
Venbkmnps
1
Let the season be null and void but English FA has to refund all the fans' ticket home and away games for the 20 EPL teams including transportstion fees and accomodation...or just make football in England null and void forever...
acadFELIX
2
That the good decision. No champion. No relegation. Bye bye EPL title for Liverporkporkpork[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Yiddklmot
0
He Hope's it happened so that his team don't get relegated.
12UnitedGuyReborn
2
For me, if the season can't be completed then Null and Void is the other only option, there is no way around it, complete the season or scrap it and make it null and void, it's the only way it will be fair and tough to all at the same time.
12UnitedGuyReborn
1
There is no any other way or possibility other than to finish the current league,just because you are fighting relegation and you are highly going down so now you want it null and void,90%of games have been played and people have wasted money, energy, emotions, others have even died because of this same football and then you give up
you ain't making sense
Godvictor
2
Hopefully VAR will give us a favorable rule this time around, against COVID-19. We need 'No CoronaVirus' anymore!
DAngelowhite
3
motmnors
0
Poor Liverpool fan be like:
[image]
It's not about Liverpool my friend, so stop ur nonsense about lfc, think about the money people have wasted just to watch football be it in stadium or TV, other's have even lost their lives because of this same football and you there laughing at Liverpool, think about the bigger picture
motmnors
2
There is no any other way or possibility other than to finish the current league,just because you are fighting relegation and you are highly going down so now you want it null and void,90%of games have been played and people have wasted money, energy, emotions, others have even died because of this same football and then you give up
GateWaye
4
Poor Liverpool fan be like: