Project Restart: Could Premier League relegation still be scrapped?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 01 June 2020

The prospect of relegation from the Premier League being scrapped for the 2019-20 season remains on the table should the campaign not be completed, according to a report.

The possibility of relegation being scrapped from the 2019-20 Premier League season is still an option, according to a report.

The top flight is due to resume again on Wednesday, June 17 following a 100-day hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

However, those plans are subject to change depending on the government's lockdown guidelines, which could be tightened again if the number of coronavirus cases begins to rise again.

Curtailment of the campaign is still an option should it not be completed in full, and despite the Football Association ruling out the possibility of scrapping relegation in such a scenario, that could still occur.

One top-flight club owner is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "We would vote for no relegation if the season is curtailed. There are up to 10 clubs who think the same thing."

The recommendation would require the backing of 14 Premier League clubs in order to be passed, and would then be adopted as a precedent to be used in the future should any other campaigns end early.

As things stand the most likely way to end the season if all games are unable to be completed would be a points-per-game table, which would not alter the relegation places as they are now - Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich City going down.

The knock-on effect on promotion from the Championship would also need to be considered, with EFL chairman Rick Parry having already promised legal action should relegation and promotion not be honoured.