FA chairman Greg Clarke makes prediction which means West Ham would be safe from relegation

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FA chairman Greg Clarke has made a prediction that would see West Ham United and others saved from relegation.

The world has been gripped by the coronavirus pandemic.

West Ham were in the thick of a relegation battle when the Premier League was cancelled until April 4th at the earliest this week.

With the virus not due to peak for another 10-14 weeks there is growing uncertainty over whether there will be time to finish the current campaign.

Premier League suspended as uncertainty grows

What that would mean for West Ham and other clubs up and down the country remains unclear.

West Ham boss David Moyes has placed himself in isolation after cuddling and shaking hands with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta – who has since tested positive for the virus – when the two sides met last week.

Football authorities and the government have been criticised by some people for the way they have dealt with the outbreak so far.

There have been a host of suggestions about the best decision to make over the season.

They range from finishing the games in the summer – with Euro 2020 expected to be moved to 2021 – to rendering the season null and void.

FA chairman tells Prem bosses season is doomed

Now it has emerged that the chairman of the English Football Association has told Premier League clubs that he does not believe the season can be completed (The Times).

Clarke was in attendance for the emergency English top-flight meeting in London where it was decided to suspend all matches until April 4th.

The Times report that Clarke remarked during showdown talks that it is ‘completely unrealistic’ for clubs to complete their remaining schedules this season with cases in the UK continuing to rise.

That would mean the season would be voided, or ended with the current standings becoming the final standings.

As a result West Ham would be safe on both counts as would Brighton and Watford.

West Ham and co would be safe… but financially damaged

In the second – highly unlikely – scenario, Aston Villa and Norwich would be relegated alongside Bournemouth.

But with Villa having played a game less that move simply would not be considered fair.

The Times reports that Clarke is worried that the season will not be able to reach a conclusion.

While staying up might be good news for West Ham and the other relegation-threatened clubs, they would still stand to lose millions.

That’s because the Premier League could lose as much as £750million in TV revenue which would have a major impact on a club like – amongst others – West Ham, who rely so heavily on the broadcast revenue stream.