Ex-Liverpool ace Cole says Prem season should be scrapped if it can’t be finished – even if it denies old club the title

EX-LIVERPOOL star Joe Cole insists the season should be scrapped if it cannot be finished – even if that denies the Anfield side the title.

The former England international fears a June 30 end for the Premier League remains unrealistic as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the world.

Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Football in this country has been suspended until at least the end of April amid the outbreak of Covid-19.

But despite his old club sitting 25 points clear at the top of the table, the 38-year-old Chelsea and West Ham favourite says the campaign must be written off if it is unable to be finished.

Speaking to the Daily Star, three-time Premier League winner Cole said: “Obviously we need to finish the season as soon as we can, if we’re allowed to. That would be ideal.

“If we can’t finish the season, and it’s getting close to the following season, the only situation which I think is fair is to just restart it.”

That opinion will not go down well on Merseyside, with Liverpool on the verge of ending a 30-year wait to be crowned champions again.

But Cole is adamant it is the fairest thing to do.

He said: “Everyone’s tribal. Everyone wants what’s best for their clubs. But unless you do a blanket thing for everyone, it’s going to have knock-on effects.

“In my opinion, that’s the only solution. Restart from scratch if we cannot finish the league.

“I’m sure there are more intelligent people than me coming up with solutions but we’re in a situation as a country where we have to stick together.

“Everyone in the football world needs to understand that as well. Finishing a 100m race at 70m leaves a lot of arguments.

“We’ve seen so many times in sport – it throws up so many surprises, doesn’t it? You can never be sure what’s going to happen.

“We’re in a situation where people have to be selfless in their lives and in football we need to lead the way.

“It’s going to benefit some clubs and others are going to be very upset but bigger things than football are at stake. It’s people’s lives and livelihoods.”