Luke Shaw: Season Must Be Canceled If The Premier League Cannot Resume
JAKARTA - Canceling the Premier League season is the only measure if the match cannot be fulfilled, according to Manchester United defender Luke Shaw.
The Premier League, like nearly every other league across Europe, has been suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic or the coronavirus, leaving Liverpool a 25-point lead in their quest for their first major league title in 30 years.
Last week it was confirmed that the season would not resume in May as the United Kingdom is still struggling to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But at the same time, the exact date for the return of the Premier League has not yet been determined.
Currently, the dates available for clubs to resume competition are in June and July after Euro 2020 and the Copa America were postponed by one year.
However, Shaw believes this season must be canceled if a way to restart competition cannot be found.
"Start again. If we can't continue, this season must be canceled," said Shaw, speaking on the Twitch stream of the FIFA 20 competition during Unicef's Combice Corona fundraiser.
In truth, Liverpool only need six points to win the title, but they are not the only club to be hurt if this season is eliminated.
Because this will also prevent United from qualifying for the Champions League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, but fifth is enough to qualify if Manchester City's ban for violating the competition's Financial Fairplay is imposed.
In the last 11 matches, the Red Devils are unbeaten in all competitions. "That's why we are disappointed, because we are really confident and the results are going our way, but the most important thing is life," added Shaw.
I'm now playing FIFA 20 against @rubey_lcheek on the @CombatCorona charity live stream to raise money for @ UNICEF📺: https://t.co/Ady4HATmEHDonate 🤝https: //t.co/QfwU9v8m8b📣 Hosted by @ AA9Skillz & @ Nepenthez #CombatCorona 💜 pic.twitter.com/1AcfFc0SdK
- Luke Shaw (@ LukeShaw23) April 5, 2020
Shaw in no way supports the idea of playing the remaining matches behind closed doors, as United did in their Europa League tie at LASK, their last away game before the postponement.
"Fans are very important, you are aware of it even more so now," he added. "I think this sport is really for the fans ... I think if you don't have fans, and you don't play in front of the fans, it doesn't feel right.
"Especially on match days, the fans are always amazing and always help the team. Be it home or even away, our fans are always brilliant and I feel like they are always with us."