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Premier league must be completed, says Palace's Hodgson

Thompson Nsisongabasi

Apr 13, 2020

The Premier League season must be played to a finish after the COVID-19 shutdown is over instead of using "artificial meansÔÇØ to decide the champions as well as relegation and Champions League spots, Crystal Palace Manager Roy Hodgson has said.

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With football in England suspended since March 13 due to the pandemic, Hodgson said teams might have to accept increased safety restrictions and having to play more games in a shorter period when play resumed.

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"Everyone is in total agreement we need an end to this season,ÔÇØ the 72-year old told the club's website.

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"We don't want artificial means of deciding who wins the league, who gets into the Champions League, who gets relegated and promoted.

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"Ideally our players would have three or four weeks minimum to prepare for the first match back but I accept there may have to be a squeeze on that time frame.

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"It might mean extra restrictions at our place of work.

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"It may also mean that we have to play our remaining matches in a shorter period of time than we normally would have done and subsequently receive a shorter break between the seasons,ÔÇØ Hodgson said.

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The season was originally suspended until April 30 but that has since been extended indefinitely, with the resumption of play now contingent on medical advice and government support.

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Palace are 11th in the league and have nine matches left to play.

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(Reuters/NAN)

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— Thompson Nsisongabasi

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