Southampton Chief Claims Football Could Be on TV 'Every Day' if the Premier League Restarts in May
By Max Cooper
It's all been a bit 'doom and gloom' in the football world of late, so we're here to offer you a flicker of a light at the end of the tunnel.
Southampton chief executive Martin Semmens has suggested that there could be Premier League football on television every day from May until 30th June, as clubs look to complete their fixture lists before the start of July.
The outbreak of coronavirus across Europe has forced the suspension of all the major leagues, and severe restrictions have been placed on the general public to slow the spreading of the illness.
But Southampton chief Semmens told BBC Radio Solent that the Premier League could recommence before the restrictions have been lifted, meaning there could be matches on TV 'every day' - but only if it is 'right and safe for the general public.'
"We have to do what is right and safe for the general public," Semmens explained. "When everybody is safe and we're not using up NHS and police resources, the government would like us to get back to playing because we are entertainment and a sign that the country is coming back to normal.
"If people are home for another month and Premier League football is on the TV every day that can only be a good thing. Not because we are more essential than the NHS but because we can give people entertainment and show that we're fighting back."
It would certainly ease the quarantine boredom.
Semmens went on to discuss the current dilemma with expiring contracts, and admitted that their aim is to wrap up the league 'by the end of June', but if they fail to do so, there could be serious consequences 'for years to come'.
"We hope to get the league done by the end of June. As soon as you go past that date, there are legal challenges.
"If we ended up playing until 15th July and you had to extend a player's contract by two weeks, convincing a player to play two more weeks of football and get paid nicely to do it - I don't believe that will be a substantial challenge.
"The challenge is making sure we don't have a knock-on effect to other seasons and make football compromised for years to come."
Still, let's focus on the 'football on TV every day of the week' part, shall we?