Supporters of West Ham United have been reacting to an announcement from the Hammers which revealed the Premier League’s ‘provisional restart date’.
According to the announcement posted to the Irons’ website, the Premier League’s shareholders have agreed that top-flight matches will return on 17th June if all safety requirements are met (per West Ham).
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa and Manchester City vs Arsenal will be the two matches which will restart the Premier League season on the 17th, with a full round of matches taking place on the following weekend.
In March, football across the UK was initially suspended until the beginning of April due to the current viral outbreak (per BBC), however, was later suspended indefinitely (per BBC).
The announcement from the Hammers went on to reveal that the matches would be played behind closed doors and that all 92 remaining fixtures will be broadcast live (per West Ham).
The matches are set to be broadcast via the league’s partners, with Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime screening the remaining top-flight fixtures, with some available free-to-air via BBC Sport (per West Ham).
So, after the Hammers relayed their announcement to the London Stadium faithful on social media (per West Ham), fans aired their reactions to the news.
An update for our supporters following the Premier League statement earlier today on a new provisional restart date for the 2019/20 season.
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 28, 2020
It’s a disgrace, I’ll be recreating Bubble’s iconic corner flag protest on 19th June after #GSB made us play behind closed doors #GSBOUT
— Hayden Evz (@HaydenEvz) May 28, 2020
This is terrible news having to watch us get battered every week again and we won’t even be able to riot when we go down! pic.twitter.com/9GQMQoYSJ2
— Ray Coster (@coster_ray) May 29, 2020
The London club currently sits 16th in the Premier League table, with David Moyes’ outfit only out of the relegation zone on goal difference with nine games left to play (per BBC).
Do you think that the Premier League is returning to action prematurely?Yes, it's far too soon
No, it's the right time
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Climb the table ha ha ha ha ??
— MrWestHam (@BillyWhufcCoyi2) May 28, 2020
No fans should mean no football. The club should have been totally against this.
— thenewstadium (@thenewstadium) May 29, 2020
It seems that English football is set to follow the example of the German Bundesliga, which returned in mid-May, having been a ‘major success’ for clubs and broadcasters (per BBC).
While the return of the Bundesliga has not been without criticism, the majority of fears prior to its return have been proven wrong since its comeback (per BBC).
Oh well back to saturdays being ruined again
— WestHamFanTone (@WestHamFanTone) May 28, 2020
We are getting relegated boys, this club is the most depressing club to ever support.
— John Southerner (@JohnSou63159561) May 28, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from West Ham fans, it appears that the majority of the London Stadium faithful are disappointed to see the season returning.