Even as sporting events across the world stand cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has come out and said that Liverpool should win the Premier League title ‘one way or another’.
Liverpool stands on top, 25 points clear of second-placed Manchester City, and was on its way to win the Premier League title in 30 years before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ceferin said that Liverpool will most definitely win if the matches are played, even though they still haven’t earned the title.
“There is no way Liverpool could end without the title. If the matches are played, then they will almost certainly win it—theoretically, they still haven’t earned the title but they almost certainly will,” Ceferin told Slovenian sports daily Ekipa.
“And, once again, I see no scenario according to which Liverpool would not be the winners. I realise fans might be disappointed if the match is played in an empty stadium or even if it is resolved around a table, but I believe that one way or another they will win the title,” he said.
Talks over extending the season has been going on, but nothing has been confirmed so far. Major European football leagues including the Champions League and Europa League remain suspended. FIFA is expected to allow football associations in each nation to determine whether domestic seasons can be finished before taking a call on an indefinite extension.
Ceferin, however, said that he is optimistic about the matches being played this summer.
“I’m an optimist. Of course, there is nothing I can guarantee or promise. It all depends of the situation in those countries, it will all depend on whether the circumstances will be safe enough so that by playing football nobody will be put in danger,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
