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Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogam says Liverpool should be awarded the Premier League title if the league season cannot be completed. The coronavirus pandemic has caused a temporary halt to the league until 30th April, however that may be extended depending on further government advice.
The Merseysiders were just two wins away from their first league title in thirty years when the season was suspended earlier this month, and some have called for the season to be declared null and void. However, Premier League chiefs are due to meet on Friday, but they still have no indications football will resume, if indeed it does before June.
Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF, Gundogan stated that, if the season could not be finished, Jurgen Klopp’s side deserved the title. “It would be OK for me. As a sportsman you have to be fair.”
The two-time Premier League winner went on to say that it was unlikely that he and his teammates could resume training at the end of April. “Honestly, I can’t imagine that happening and also, I don’t know how realistic it is.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a lockdown of the UK, advising that people should only go out for shopping, essential travel, to go to work if they can’t work from home or for urgent medical issues, all of which football does not fall into. And UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said on Saturday that the 2019/20 campaign could be lost if it could not be restarted by the end of June.
Cancelling the season will have other implications than deciding the destination of the league title. European places are on offer with newcomers Sheffield United in a good position, while those struggling at the foot of the table will receive a season reprieve. It would also be bad news for teams like Leeds United and West Brom, who are vying for promotion to the Premier League.
“There are different opinions,” Gundogan added said. “For clubs who have had a very good season, it obviously wouldn’t be nice if it was cancelled now. On the other hand, for clubs who aren’t doing as well and are maybe in the relegation places, an abandonment would obviously suit them.”