Karren Brady's 'null and void' call would see Brighton remain in Premier League for fourth season

West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady has called for the English football season to be declared “null and void” due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Karren Brady's West Ham would remain in the Premier League if the season were null and voidKarren Brady's West Ham would remain in the Premier League if the season were null and void
Karren Brady's West Ham would remain in the Premier League if the season were null and void

Brady's comments caused controversy as she wants the season to be scrapped. If the season were to be void, West Ham, who are above the relegation places on goal difference, would remain in the top flight.

It would mean crushing disappointment for Liverpool who are closing in their first title for 30 years and promotion front-runners Leeds and West Brom would remain in the Championship.

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Brighton, who are two points above the drop zone with nine matches to play, would remain in the Premier for a fourth consecutive season.

Brady wrote: “There is no dodging the possibility that all levels in the EFL, as well as the Premier League, will have to be cancelled and this season declared null and void because if the players can’t play the games can’t go ahead."

England’s top-flight clubs will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss possible outcomes.

“The Premier League hopes that an interlude of three weeks from now will enable it to restart but that may well be dreamland. Perhaps scrubbing Euro 2020 could provide more time to complete the season into the summer but that is also a giant ‘if’. What if the league cannot be finished?

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“As games in both the Premier League and in the EFL are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void. Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?”

Brady admits a void season would be a "huge blow" for Liverpool and that it could also bring financial problems and potential legal battles regarding relegation, promotion and Eurpean places.

“There are, of course, financial implications, wages and transfer debts must be paid and there is lost broadcast revenue, lost matchday income but this pales into insignificance as the health and wellbeing of everyone must come first,” Brady added.

“Further down the [football] pyramid, the greater the threat to future existence. But I suspect that by hook or by crook, most will survive.”

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Brady’s comments have attracted criticism on social media, with BT Sport presenter Des Kelly labelling them “shameless”, although Piers Morgan tweeted his support for her stance, saying it was “the ONLY fair thing to do”.

West Ham are 16th in the suspended Premier League table with 27 points, and outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.