Following the announcement by the self-described ‘big six’ English football clubs of their intention to join a break away European Super League, the FA Premier League, after consultation with UEFA, has excluded the six clubs from this season’s English competitions.
Matches involving the six clubs held to be in breach of competition rules have been declared void. The Premier League season will be based only on the matches between the remaining 14 teams. The table, as of 18 April leaves West Ham in touching distance of the first English title in the 120 years since they rebranded from Thames Ironworks Football Club. With a game in hand over their nearest rivals, four points from the Hammers remaining five valid games will be enough to deny Leicester City a second title in five years. Leeds United are set to achieve the highest finish by a newly promoted side since Newcastle under Kevin Keegan, while Everton are favorites for the final Champions League spot.
The changes comes as a relief to the four teams in danger of the drop who will retain their top tier status with six teams moving up from the EFL Championship next season. Sheffield United, having thought their relegation had been confirmed on Friday evening ago will now remain in the top flight after all.
Leicester City, who had taken 16 points against the disqualified six against West Ham’s 6 points, look odds on to qualify for the Champions’ League again, they will also celebrate lifting their First FA Cup following their victory over Southampton yesterday. The Saints will take the FA Cup Europa League Spot while Brentford qualify for European football for the first time after being awarded the EFL Cup – how Newcastle United must wish they had turned up in against the Bees in December’s quarter final.
The summer transfer market is now likely to throw up a few surprises after the PFA announced their intention to initiate legal action against the disqualified clubs claiming material change in the employment circumstance of contracted players.
An FA spokesman indicated that while no decisions had yet been taken it was likely that were the six clubs to seek to return to English football the rules would require that they re-apply for membership, meaning they would have to work their way back up the pyramid from the bottom in the same way AFC Wimbledon had been forced to following the move of the franchise to Milton Keynes. It is thought likely that Salford City will ground share with Manchester United while Barnet are through the likely tenants of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Manchester City Council is thought likely to re-possess the Etihad, claiming breaches of covenant.
Then we woke up …
