Coronavirus: Jota says world is waiting for Premier League return
Wolves forward Diogo Jota believes the Premier League season can still be salvaged, despite the coronavirus pandemic bringing it to a halt.
Published : Apr 27, 2020 07:35 IST
Diogo Jota says it is of "major" importance to world football that the Premier League season is completed.
The Wolves forward is optimistic the campaign can avoid being closed down early, although he accepts behind-closed-doors games may be inevitable.
Most top-flight clubs had nine games remaining in the league when the coronavirus crisis meant the season had to be paused in March.
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Wolves were sitting sixth, while they also have the Europa League to think about having reached the last 16.
Portugal international Jota has been an important figure in Nuno Espirito Santo's team and he hopes to soon be back in action.
He told BBC Sport : "I believe the Premier League can finish. We don't need to look to other countries. Each country has its own problems and has to deal with them individually.
“Although some leagues can end right away, others can start sooner. I know almost every country in the world has the Premier League as one of the leagues to watch, so it is major that we can finish the season.”
The Eredivisie called a halt to the 2019-20 season on Friday, with no champion, relegation or promotion, a decision that sparked an outcry from a number of clubs.
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Most European leagues nevertheless appear hopeful of a resumption, and Jota can picture the scenario where the Premier League starts up again, albeit without spectators.
He said that given the choice of stopping the season or playing the remaining games behind closed doors, then "obviously we finish the season behind closed doors", but Jota stressed "everyone" would rather play in front of a crowd.
The 23-year-old added: "Maybe we need to go step by step and the first step is to play behind closed doors."