Udinese director Pierpaolo Marino, whose club shares owners with Watford FC, believes the Premier League is close to announcing the end of the current season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Hector Bellerin and Nicolas Pepe after scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammates on February 23, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Speaking to SportItalia, Marino discussed the footballing situation in Europe at present.

As things stand, the Belgian Jupiler League are the only ones seemingly planning to end their campaign. In fairness, they were only one game from the end of the regular season anyway.

Marino believes the Premier League are close to following suit, given the growing impact of coronavirus.

“The Belgian Federation has already sanctioned the end of their league, despite the threats of sanctions from UEFA,” Marino said (via Football-Italia).

“In England, the Premier League is about to release a similar statement, because the situation there is becoming very, very serious. I frankly just hope we can enjoy football again after the coronavirus.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes, we need to get out of this danger zone. I am worried for the next seasons, not the old one.”

The Pozzo family own both Udinese and Watford, so you’d think Marino would have some links to the Premier League. At the same time, there isn’t much reason to believe his claims outside that.

It’s still early April right now, so there’s plenty of time for us to make a decision on what happens from June onwards.

I’m not sure why the Premier League would already have come to a conclusion and be preparing to announce it. It’s not like in Belgium, where they were only writing off one game.

Maybe it will turn out to be the right decision to cancel the season. I just don’t think we’re at that point yet, whatever Marino says.