Professional clubs look set to benefit from aid package

PROFESSIONAL rugby clubs are set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of a £300million aid package soon to be announced. according to the latest reports, writes John Evely.

Rugby chairman and CEOs from every Gallagher Premiership club have outlined the bleak financial landscape professional clubs face with fans barred from stadiums under government restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

More than most sports, rugby relies on its gate money and the revenue from drink and food sales in stadiums to pay the bills with clubs losing an estimated £1m a month during lockdown.

Players and staff at most clubs in the country have taken pay cuts in the wake of the reduced revenue which is mainly coming from the league’s television deal. Many clubs used the government’s furlough scheme to stay afloat during the first lockdown.

The Daily Mail reports that the government is set to announce the aid package on Friday when Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston will confirm details of the package in parliament having secured an undertaking of £300m from the Treasury. Horse racing is expected to be the other sport to most benefit from the package which does not include professional football. The package on offer will be a mix of grants and loans. There will also be help for other sports which have been unable to operate their venues as normal due to Covid-19.

The government is also in talks with sports about resuming spectator trials after lockdown, which is due to end on December 2.

BT Sport has also confirmed it will broadcast every Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup game played behind closed doors this season. Clubs will be able to offer match passes to watch home games as part of paid-for membership schemes.