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Should the football season be written off completely? Do we extend it into the summer? Can we just take the final league positions as they are now?

It’s low on a list of priorities all things considered right now, but the coronavirus crisis has left the footballing authorities with some big questions to answer on how best to conclude the campaign.

Fortunately, Lyon owner and president Jean-Michel Aulas has come up with the perfect, sporting, sensible, and not-at-all biased solution to fix what had seemed an unsolvable problem.

Writing on ​Twitter about what he considers the fairest way to finish the Ligue 1 season, Aulas said: “According to specialists, there is another solution: the historical classification over 3 years or 5 years?

“But the best solution would be to finish the championship but it will be more and more difficult.”

The Lyon chairman is suggesting that if the season cannot be finished, then club’s league position for this season should be determined by their average league position of the past three seasons.

Lyon currently sit seventh in Ligue 1, nine points off Lille in the final Europa League spot, and 10 points off Rennes in the final ​Champions League place.

Should they fail to bridge that gap, it would leave the club without European football for the first time since 2001.

Alternatively – putting Aulas’ genius plan into action – Lyon’s average finishes in the last three seasons would leave them third in the league and miraculously gift them ​Champions League football for next season.

Isn’t it funny how that works out?

Similarly, Lyon’s women’s team, who Aulas pumps considerable money and resources into, currently lead Division 1 Feminine by three points. Having won the league for the past three seasons, they would regain their crown.

Aulas’ plans regarding a potentially voided season around three quarters of the way through it are similar to those put forward by ​West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady.

Writing in her column in ​The ​Sun, Brady said: “As games in both the ​Premier League and in the EFL are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void.

“Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?”

So that’s the plan – Champions League football for Lyon, Premier League football for West Ham, no long-awaited title for Liverpool, no promotion, and Bolton Wanderers survive relegation to League Two despite being 21 points from safety.

Fair’s fair and everyone’s happy, right?

Virgil van Dijk has admitted that Liverpool don’t want to have to win the Premier League without fans in attendance, but look forward to celebrating with the supporters regardless of the circumstances.

The Reds’ title prospects have been cast into doubt amid the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, with English football ​postponed until at least 3 April.

It means they will have to wait to secure the points they need to secure their maiden title. However, there remains doubt over whether they will get to do so at all with the prospect of the season being voided a possibility. 

If and when the season does resume, however, there remains a strong possibility it will do so behind closed doors, meaning ​Liverpool’s inevitable title win may well come with no fans in attendance. That’s an eventuality Van Dijk would like to avoid, as he admits he’d be ‘gutted’ for the fans to miss out.

​”No one wants to play games without the fans,” the 28-year-old said, as quoted by the ​BBC.

“If we won it in an empty stadium and the fans weren’t there, I’d be gutted for them. Obviously, if there are no fans at Anfield, then it will be a bit of a blow.

“Until a decision is made on how we go on from here, then we just have to deal with it. But when it happens, we are still bringing the title to our fans, definitely.”

The Dutchman’s words mirror those of his manager Jurgen Klopp, who said last week that playing in front of an empty stadium would be disappointing, but that football comes second to public health.

“Of course, we don’t want to play in front of an empty stadium and we don’t want games or competitions suspended,” ​Klopp said. “But if doing so helps one individual stay health – just one – we do it no questions asked.”

Mikel Arteta’s wife has given a promising update on the recovery of her husband after he tested positive for the coronavirus.

Arsenal announced late on Thursday that various personnel at the club, including all first team players, had gone into self isolation after learning of Arteta’s condition.

The announcement came under an hour after the Premier League insisted that matches this weekend would continue as normal – a decision that was reversed soon after Arteta and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus.

Arteta’s wife, Lorena Bernal, took to ​Instagram to provide an update on the state of the Arsenal head coach. 

​“I want to say thank you to everyone who sent good vibes, texts, emails and calls, really it’s been overwhelming,” she said.

“I understand as well that you want to know what’s going on.

“My husband is feeling fine, he is well. It’s true that he had symptoms of the virus but the symptoms would have never stopped him from going to work in a normal situation.

“He would have just taken an ibuprofen or paracetamol and he would have gone to work so really, it’s nothing major.

“Some temperatures, some headaches but that’s it. That’s his experience. My kids and I are perfectly well.

“Apparently the virus is not lethal. It could be for a certain amount of people but the majority are going to go through it with mild symptoms.”

Arteta revealed in a statement on his own Instagram account ​on Friday that he was feeling better.

“Hi everyone,” he began. “Thanks for all the kind words and support. I’m feeling much better already.

“We are all facing a huge and unprecedented challenge. Everyone’s health is the only important thing right now. Respect and protect each other by following the guidelines and we’ll come through this all together.

“Well done to the Premier League for making the right decision by suspending matches. Thank you again.”

Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they overcame Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening in a game that was played behind closed doors. ​

The hosts started brightly, but the first chance of the game actually fell to the away side. The ball was cut back to Jadon Sancho on the edge of the area, but he fired wide. However, Edinson Cavani was sent through on goal midway through the first half. It appeared as though the net would ripple, but his low drive was well saved by Roman Burki.

PSG did then take the lead through Neymar just before the half hour mark. Angel Di Maria whipped in a sensational cross from a corner, which the Brazilian powerfully met with a header. Juan Bernat then doubled his side’s lead just before the half time whistle, his low shot creeping in.

Di Maria forced Burki into an exceptional save early in the second half, the Argentine curling a free-kick towards goal from far out. With just one minute of normal time remaining, Emre Can was sent off after he fouled Neymar and then the pair came together after. PSG were able to see out the contest and book their place in the last eight.

Here’s 90min‘s breakdown of the game…

PSG

Key Talking Point

Thomas Tuchel had a selection dilemma ahead of kick-off, with Thiago Silva ruled out while Kylian Mbappe had been struggling with illness in the build up to the contest. As a result, Marquinhos dropped into the defence, and Pablo Sarabia moved into the attack.

Despite the fact they were playing without a crowd in their own stadium due to the coronavirus, the hosts started brightly as they looked to find the opener – a goal that would put them ahead in the tie. As the half progressed, PSG dominated possession and although the game was played at a slow tempo with little intensity, the home side will not have cared because they were completely in control.

They were managing the game and the tie brilliantly. While Dortmund did attempt to fight back in the second period, Tuchel’s men were in control throughout. They continued to keep their opponents at bay, and continued to look dangerous each time they went forward. In the end, they were good value for their win and they now have a quarter-final tie to look forward to.

PSG Player Ratings

Starting XI: Navas (6); Kehrer (6), Marquinhos (6), Kimpembe (6), Bernat (7); Paredes (7), Gueye (7); Di María (8), Sarabía (6); Neymar (8*), Cavani (7).

Substitutes: Mbappe (7), Kurzawa (6), Koussi (N/A).

Neymar

When they needed him most, he stepped up.

The Brazilian went down early on in the clash and it appeared as though he would have to go off, but he was able to overcome the injury and continue – and PSG fans will have been very thankful for that.

Midway through the first half, he opened the scoring for his side. Perhaps it was a low drive or some nice skill to set himself in the build-up? No, instead it was actually a low diving header.

He continued to impose himself on the game after, and while he looked a threat each time he received the ball, it was his defensive work that was most impressive.

An excellent display and he can now look forward a quarter-final with PSG.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Key Talking Point

A place in the quarter-finals of the ​Champions League was up for grabs for ​Dortmund, and they went into the game holding a slender lead from the first leg. However, based on their overall performance, it didn’t seem like they were playing for a place in the last eight of Europe’s elite competition.

Of course, the game was being played without a crowd and this certainly appeared to affect the Bundesliga outfit, who were sloppy and sluggish and, as a result, they really struggled to get into the contest. The worst part was that both goals conceded in the first half simply should have been dealt with.

Dortmund did show some spirit and fight in the second half, but they still failed to really trouble Keylor Navas in the PSG goal. With so much up for grabs, it was a hugely disappointing display.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings

Starting XI: Bürki (7); Piszczek (6), Hummels (5), Zagadou (4); Hakimi (4), Can (6), Witsel (5), Guerreiro (5); Sancho (7*), Hazard (4), Haaland (4)

Substitutes: Brandt (6), Reyna (5), Gotze (N/A)

Jadon Sancho

Was it his best game? No, not at all. However, it was a majorly disappointing display by Dortmund, looking fragile at the back and void of ideas in attack. And while he wasn’t able to impact the game in the way he would have liked, the young Englishman was constantly looking to get on the ball and try and make things happen.

Sancho would drift all over the pitch, starting on the right before switching to the other flank and trying his luck. The 19-year-old was always at the heart of anything promising for his side, but unfortunately for him, his side weren’t able to find their way into the contest.

Looking Ahead

PSG next host Nice in the league on Sunday before facing Strasbourg.

Dortmund return to league action on Saturday as they host Schalke. They then travel to take on Wolfsburg the following weekend.

Jamie Vardy ended his goal drought in style as he bagged a brace off the bench as Leicester City thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 at home in the Premier League on Monday night.

On his return from injury, Vardy’s double marked his first strikes since December, and he wasn’t the only one in rampant mood as Harvey Barnes also registered twice for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

​Leicester City were wasteful in the first half-hour as the Foxes wasted free headers on three occasions, but with half time approaching, Barnes finally made ​Villa pay.

The visiting defence had looked shaky and it was then compounded by Pepe Reina’s rash decision. He came charging out, Barnes nicked the ball around him before slotting into the empty net.

That’s how it stayed at the interval and it was one-way traffic thereafter. It was just a matter of time before Leicester got their second of the night.

It came from a familiar source. VAR reviewed the referee’s original decision, Tyrone Mings was adjudged to have handled Barnes’ cross and Vardy confidently dispatched the resulting penalty.

But the Foxes weren’t done there, Vardy smashed in his second with just over ten minutes remaining before Barnes helped himself to another after tidy work from Marc Albrighton.

LEICESTER

Key Talking Point

The return of Jamie Vardy. He was on the pitch a matter of minutes before he had the perfect opportunity to end his goal drought.

Stepping up to the spot, the ex-England striker dispatched his penalty with aplomb to register his first goal of 2020.

It wasn’t the penalty of a man who had been drawing blanks recently, coolly put away, Vardy was back and he could smell blood.

Sure enough, having waited 644 minutes for a goal, the Leicester hitman bagged another 17 minutes later to well and truly put his doubters to bed.

A smartly taken goal, the forward rode a couple of challenges before smashing the ball past Reina at the near post.

It was a welcome sight for Foxes fans who were left exasperated by Kelechi Iheaneacho during the first hour as the Nigerian yet again flattered to deceive.

But those at the King Power won’t worry about that, their beloved talisman is once again firing on all cylinders.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Schmeichel (6); Justin (8), Pereira (7), Evans (6), Soyuncu (6), Ndidi (8*), Albrighton (6), Praet (7), Maddison (7), Barnes (8), Iheanacho (5).

Substitutes: Vardy (8), Tielemans (6), Mendy (6)

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Wilfred Ndidi

Making his first start since New Year’s Day but he did not look short of match fitness, nor like he would need minutes to regain his form.

During the midfielder’s absence, Leicester had only won one of seven games and tonight’s performance was another showing of just how important Ndidi is to the Foxes team.

A calming presence in front of the back four, he rarely lost possession and acted as a shield, keeping the likes of Grealish at bay.

Not only was his ball retention good but he was always looking to set his side on the front foot and was responsible for several lighting quick breaks from the hosts.

It was a consummate display on his return to the starting 11 and Leicester fans will be over the moon to have their midfield general back.

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ASTON VILLA

Key Talking Point

The visiting side looked nervy at the back and it’s easy to see why they have shipped the highest number of goals in the ​Premier League this season.

At every set piece, they looked on the verge of conceding, players were in disarray as Maddison’s whipped deliveries caused havoc in the Villa box.

Tyrone Mings looked indecisive and at times was found ball-watching, standing alone in the six-yard box and failing to pick up his runners.

It was only Leicester’s lack of aerial ability that let Villa off the hook in the opening half-hour as Evans, Soyunçu and Iheanacho were all guilty of wasting good opportunities.

Villa’s Achilles heel appears baffling given that boss Smith was a defender and a certain John Terry is also among the coaching staff.

Then the first goal summed up the visitor’s defensive woes, a routine long ball found Barnes racing through, Reina was caught in no man’s land and the Leicester forward did the rest.

Mings’ woeful night was summed up by him inexplicably throwing himself towards the ball with his arm thrust in the direction of it.

After a VAR check, his misery was compounded, Leicester were awarded the penalty and it was good night Aston Villa.

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Player Ratings

Starting XI: Reina (5); Guilbert (6), Engels (5), Mings (4), Targett (6), Elmohamady (6), Luiz (6), Nakamba (5), Hourihane (5), Grealish (5), Samatta (6*).

Substitutes: Davis (6), El Ghazi (6)

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Mbwana Samatta

The one bright spark on a very damp and disappointing evening in the East Midlands for Smith’s side.

Given very little to feed off, the lone striker never gave the Leicester defence a moment’s peace, hassling and harrying all evening.

His hold-up play was impressive but the rest of the Villa team failed in supporting the Tanzanian and he found himself largely frustrated, through no fault of his own.

It was an off night for skipper Jack Grealish who was well marshalled in the centre of the pitch by Ndidi and co, therefore Samatta lacked service but that didn’t stop him from trying.

However, there is only so much one man can do when the ball isn’t at his feet and that was the case here.

His work rate should be commended, applauded even, especially given the mere scraps he was feeding off.

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Looking Ahead

Leicester are next in Premier League action when they travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Dean Smith’s Villa side welcome Frank Lampard’s Champions League-chasing Chelsea to Villa Park on Saturday evening.

Former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr has jokingly suggested he could buy Newcastle United.

The Magpies have been subject to numerous bouts of takeover speculation throughout owner Mike Ashley’s tenure, with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman the latest individual ​linked with buying the club. ​

Mayweather retired from boxing undefeated in 2017, winning 50 out of 50 professional fights and 15 major world titles in the process.

Speaking at the O2 City Hall in ​Newcastle during the Evening with Floyd Mayweather tour, event moderator Steve Wraith said: “The last time you were in Newcastle it was reported that you were very, very interested in buying Newcastle United…”

In a video posted on ​TMZ, Mayweather is quoted as replying: “In the US we call it soccer, but the Newcastle football team is an unbelievable team…a hell of a team.”

In response to the crowd’s delighted response, he added: “If the people want me to buy the Newcastle team, let me know!”

According to ​the Mirror, Mayweather’s team later confirmed to TNZ that the former world champion was interested in investing, but formal talks are yet to take place.

​The Sun states that the former boxer has a net worth of £700m, taking home £300m after his high-profile fight with Connor McGregor in 2017.

According to ​Forbes, Mayweather was the highest paid athlete of the 2010s, earning £686m over the course of the decade. Imagine how many Joelinton’s you could buy with that.

Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley bought Newcastle for £135m in 2007. Since his takeover, the club have had 10 separate permanent managers, two stints in the Championship, and Alan Pardew was handed an eight-year contract.

Ashley sacked popular boss Chris Hughton in 2010, and could not persuade the universally loved Rafa Benitez to stay at the end of the 2018/19 season.

His appointment of Steve Bruce did not go down well with the Geordie faithful, however Bruce has guided Newcastle to 13th in the Premier League and an FA Cup quarter-final in his first season.

An Aaron Ramsey strike and a wonderful individual effort from Paulo Dybala gave Juventus a priceless Derby D’Italia victory, sinking Inter’s dwindling title hopes in front of an empty Allianz Stadium.

A tight first half delivered little in the way of goalmouth action, with the play dominated by the deafening silence delivered by the vacant stands, as the coronavirus continues to make its presence felt in Italy.

Six points separated the teams at the start of play but there initially looked to be little between them, as they were limited to just a chance apiece before the break. Samir Handanovic was called into action half with a stellar stop to deny Blaise Matuidi, while opposite number Wojciech Szczesny had to be on his toes to deny Lautaro Martinez shortly after.

The first goal did arrive through Ramsey after ​Cristiano Ronaldo mis-controlled a Matuidi cross, however, before a moment of real magic from substitute Dybala – drifting in from the right and leaving Ashley Young for dead before poking it past Szczesny in the same movement – put the hosts well and truly in control.

It was reasonably plain sailing from there. The visitors were visibly deflated, lacking both the mentality and firepower to get themselves back into the game. They were defeated both on the scoreline and otherwise, and their title hopes are now on life support as a result.

​Juventus

Key Talking Point

Even though the atmosphere didn’t show it, it was comfortably Serie A’s biggest match of the season – but the enormity of the fixture wouldn’t stop the immutable Ronaldo from becoming the centre of attention.

The man some consider to be the greatest ever made his 1,000th senior appearance as he went chasing his 54th ​Juve goal to keep his side’s title challenge on track.

That goal wasn’t forthcoming, but in the end it mattered not. Juve stepped up to the plate with a ruthless performance to dismiss one of the challengers to their crown and restore themselves to the top of the division.

It’s a win Maurizio Sarri can take serious credit for. His decision to drop Miralem Pjanic to make room for ​Ramsey, Matuidi and Rodrigo Bentancur took guts, but it paid off as his side dominated the midfield battle. The omission of ​Dybala also proved to be a masterstroke, with the Argentine having the exact desired effect when called upon from the bench.

In the end, it was a signature Juventus win; and one that could easily prove defining in the context of the season.

Juventus Player Ratings

Starting XI: Szczesny (6); Cuadrado (7), Bonucci (8), De Ligt (6), Sandro (6); Ramsey (8), Bentancur (7), Matuidi (6); Costa (7), Higuain (7), Ronaldo (8)

Subs: Dybala (8), De Sciglio (6), Bernardeschi (6)

Aaron Ramsey

It’s been a slow start to life in Turin for the Welshman, but in a three-man midfield here, he really showed what he’s all about.

He was a constant driving force throughout, and was at the heart of everything positive Juventus did in the final third. He’s fast developing into an excellent option for Sarri and will surely be one of the first names on the team-sheet when fit.

​Inter

Key Talking Point

To stand any chance of prying the title race back into their own hands, ​Inter simply could not afford to lose this game. To leave empty-handed would have left them staring at a nine point gap between themselves and the leaders, and even with a game in hand, that would have been exceptionally difficult to overcome.

A win was also essential to restore some confidence. Having fallen short to surprise title challengers Lazio in their last league outing, they had to prove to themselves that they were capable of beating their rivals in what is proving to be an enthralling three-way title tussle.

Unfortunately, however, it was another disappointing evening for Antonio Conte’s men. They didn’t have the quality nor the endeavour to match the relentless drive of Juve. They didn’t play particularly badly, but were often guilty of being passive and lacking the fight required to win such a huge match.

Their barren run of ​Serie A Derby D’Italia clashes without a win extends to seven, and they now have it all to do to salvage any remaining title hopes.

Inter Player Ratings

​Starting XI: Handanovic (7); Skriniar (5), De Vrij (6), Bastoni (6); Candreva (6); Vecino (6), Brozovic (7), Barella (6), Young (5); Martinez (6), Lukaku (5)

Subs: Eriksen (5), Gagliardino (6), Sanchez (4)

Samir Handanovic

The experienced keeper has been a big miss for Inter throughout February, but a coronavirus-enforced break from league action has given him time to recover from a minor hand injury, and he was at his inspired best yet again.

A terrific low stop denied Blaise Matuidi a surefire opener early in the first half and he was a consistent calming influence in what was a damaging night for his side, his composure best evidence when he casually feigned a pass and skipped past Ronaldo midway through the first half. Juve hardly put them to the sword, but you still feel it would have been far worse had their captain not delivered.

Looking Ahead

Juventus travel to Bologna on Friday before their tilt at European glory continues with a Champions League clash with Lyon in Turin, as they look to overcome a narrow deficit and reach the quarter-finals.

Inter, meanwhile, resume their own European campaign with the visit of Getafe on Thursday, before returning to San Siro to face Sassuolo three days later.