Ilkay Gundogan: Fair to award Liverpool Premier League title if season not completed

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments2083

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Liverpool are two wins from making this banner reality

It would only be "fair" to award Liverpool the Premier League title if the season is not completed because of coronavirus, says Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

With football in England suspended until at least 30 April, Liverpool have a 25-point lead over defending champions City and are two wins from a first top-flight title in 30 years.

Asked if the Reds should be given the trophy if the season is cut short, Gudogan told German broadcaster ZDF:external-link "For me, that would be OK, yes."

"You have to be fair as a sportsperson," the 29-year-old Germany international added.

Premier League clubs are due to meet on 3 April, when it is almost certain the current postponement until the end of April will be extended again. That will take it past the official end of the English Football League season and towards the last round of Premier League fixtures, which was supposed to be on 17 May.

Aleksander Ceferin, president of European football's governing body Uefa, said on Saturday the 2019-20 campaign could be lost if it cannot be restarted by the end of June.

Gundogan acknowledged football authorities faced a difficult decision because of the impact that cancellation of the season would have at both ends of the Premier League table.

"There are different opinions. For clubs who have had a very good season, it obviously wouldn't be nice if it was cancelled now," he said.

"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."

Gundogan added that he would be prepared to take a pay cut if English clubs went down the route of Juventus and Borussia Dortmund in asking players to accept reduced wages so that other staff can be paid.

"Of course I think it's OK, that goes without saying - [but] there's been no discussion in England yet," he said.

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2083 comments

  • Comment posted by maybenextseason, at 21:42 29 Mar 2020

    To be honest, Liverpool are the easy part. It’s relegation, it’s CL and UEL Qualification. What about Leeds? The end of Parachute payments? Expect massive litigation.

  • Comment posted by The Beautiful Game, at 21:41 29 Mar 2020

    I’m a Liverpool fan.

    At this point in time I’d prefer to concentrate on getting on top of this blinkin Covid 19.

    Then we can think about sport again.

  • Comment posted by SteH11, at 22:08 29 Mar 2020

    Finally a bit a sportmanship rather than people like Kane and Karen Brady looking out for their own personal interests.

    However, even if you award Liverpool the title (which they have clearly earned). How do you decided who gets next year European spots? Relegation? Promotion?

    This season cannot be cancelled. Next season must be delayed and this one concluded once it's safe to do so.

  • Comment posted by damo, at 22:02 29 Mar 2020

    As a liverpool fan I'd rather win the title by playing and winning it the proper way, not just say "well the season will end now so here is the title" like I have heard some people say. But first things first, we need to beat this virus. Make sure everyone is safe and healthy. Football is the last thing we should be looking at. Stay healthy and stay safe everyone. 😀😀😀

  • Comment posted by jogon, at 21:34 29 Mar 2020

    A true sportsman!!!!

  • Comment posted by rockedan3, at 21:33 29 Mar 2020

    decent

  • Comment posted by CranleighH, at 21:46 29 Mar 2020

    Nice gesture sure. But, not the way to win any title. The season must be concluded however and whenever possible and then plan for the next season to start. After the disruption that the whole country has been through surely it would be possible to rearrange some football fixtures to everyone's satisfaction.

  • Comment posted by fillinthecorner, at 21:42 29 Mar 2020

    If they give liverpool the title it,ll always be tainted. the league must be played to a conclusion even if it means playing in empty stadia or even playing rock paper scissors.

  • Comment posted by _danhaider, at 21:35 29 Mar 2020

    classy

  • Comment posted by TonyMaxzzz, at 21:38 29 Mar 2020

    Well said Gundogan good comment but we will win it proper in the extended season

  • Comment posted by mal123, at 21:37 29 Mar 2020

    Not a City fan by a long way but I appreciate the gesture from him. I would prefer Liverpool to be given the chance to win it properly however, even if it has to be in many months time.

  • Comment posted by aw, at 23:05 29 Mar 2020

    I have supported Liverpool since Emlyn Hughes was our captain in the 70's and before the crisis started was so excited that we could win the title before my 50th birthday on Good Friday. My party has been cancelled and life is on hold and football isn't important right now. I am more worried about my elderly mum, my daughter who has asthma, my aunt in a nursing home and my diabetic dad.

  • Comment posted by Dave K, at 22:42 29 Mar 2020

    If the season becomes null and void could Bury FC be reinstated as technically they would not have contravened any finance rules.

  • Comment posted by Jb1965, at 07:45 30 Mar 2020

    Perhaps everyone who wants Liverpool to be given the title, should look at what the FA has done to non-league. They’ve declared it null and void. Some teams like Jersey Bulls and Vauxhall Motors have already won their league, but their records will be expunged and they won’t be promoted. I’ve no problem with Liverpool getting the title but only if the FA apply this consistently in all leagues

  • Comment posted by Not My Real Pseudonym, at 22:42 29 Mar 2020

    @245

    If you end the season now then how to do you legislate for the team relegated that has played all top 6 teams twice and the the team above them that hasn't played the top 6 twice and so didn't fall in to the relegation zone instead?

  • Comment posted by Sneaky Pierre, at 21:37 29 Mar 2020

    If they win their next two it would be fair, if not, they will be known as the club that were given the league....United fans, and other Liverpool haters would have a field day

  • Comment posted by steve reilly, at 21:37 29 Mar 2020

    I think most people will agree, Liverpool have won the league. however what happens down the other end of the table ?

  • Comment posted by Lairy West Ham Fan , at 07:55 30 Mar 2020

    I'm sorry but I don't see why the fa Cancelled the lower leagues, but
    just seems to think it's fine to award Liverpool the title, what about all the teams who have won their leagues ???? Oh yeah I forgot they don't have money so the FA don't care or aren't in fear of the fiancinal backlash they would otherwise face !! It's just bullying really

  • Comment posted by JM, at 22:14 29 Mar 2020

    @82 "Are the BBC looking to wind people up?? Just stop second guessing anything! People are dying, businesses are going under and we care about this??"

    Well you did venture on to the BBC sports page so I guess you must still care about sport a little bit. Some people really do just love to moan at the BBC for everything don't they?

  • Comment posted by Dey do dough dont dey dough, at 21:39 29 Mar 2020

    No way, we want to win it by playing all our remaining games, however that's done.

    YNWA.

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