This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
On February 29, 2020, Watford's Troy Deeney celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates.
Watford's chief executive, Scott Duxbury, has spoken out against the Premier League's plan to resume the season at neutral venues, citing unfairness and a lack of sporting integrity. The plan, part of the Premier League's "Project Restart," aims to return to play in June, with the remaining 92 matches held behind closed doors at neutral venues.
However, Duxbury argues that this plan is unfair, particularly for smaller clubs like Watford, who are 17th in the league and only above the relegation zone on goal difference. He points out that Watford's shock victory over Liverpool in February was influenced by home advantage, and that playing at neutral venues would compromise this advantage.
"We are now told we cannot play our remaining home games at Vicarage Road and the familiarity and advantage that brings," Duxbury wrote in The Times on Saturday. "With all these compromises and health risks we are asked to finish a competition that bears no resemblance to the one we started, which could end a small club like Watford’s time in the Premier League," he added.
According to Duxbury, at least six clubs are against the plan, which requires 14 out of 20 clubs to vote in favor for it to be agreed. He argues that the Premier League should rethink its plan and find a more fair solution, one that takes into account the concerns of all 20 clubs.
"How can the long-term future of clubs be determined under these fundamentally changed conditions? How is there any semblance of fairness? To wave aside all the fears and concerns is too simplistic. Surely all 20 clubs must agree the fairest way forward to complete the season?" Duxbury said.
