EFL does not want break – but may have hand forced
EFL chairman Rick Parry has had his say on calls to pause the football season following a mass of postponements at the weekend.
There were 19 games called off from Championship to League Two – including Burton Albion’s game at home to MK Dons and Derby County’s match away to Cardiff City – and six more in the Premier League.
Burnley’s fixture against Aston Villa was called off less than two hours before kick-off.
There is guidance in place about what will trigger a postponement – and clubs with at least 14 available players have been told to carry on, although it is hard to see how some of the Premier League clubs with huge squads who were allowed to postpone could not have had that many players availabler.
Parry insists there is no evidence to suggest that taking one or two weeks out as a collective would be any benefit.
He told Football Focus: “If we think a circuit breaker will help we will do it but, at the moment, there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that it will help.
“We’ve got to stick together, stay calm and keep making balanced decisions on the basis of the latest information.”
What do you think should happen? Have your say in the comments sectionhe added: “We wondered if a short sharp circuit breaker this weekend would help but, frankly, it wouldn’t.
“There is no science to suggest it would help and, if you look at the geographical spread, there are areas where games can go ahead and where they can’t.
“There’s talk of the government having a two-week lockdown after Christmas so maybe that will be taken out of our hands.
“We are getting more information listening to the scientists, they need more data to try to work out exactly where we are going with this new strain. It is too early to tell.
“Next week we might be in a different position.”
Despite Parry’s view, it is likely that the EFL would be pressured to follow the Premier League’s lead if they voted for a circuit-breaker.
Premier League shareholders will
reportedly today to debate the crisis and The Times has suggested they will be lobbied to temporarily halt the entire programme.
The EFL would probably follow suit in those circumstances.
Burton’s players and staff are due back at the stadium tomorrow to be tested again.
On Friday, commenting on the MK Dons postponement, Brewers chairman Ben Robinson said: “Burton Albion’s first team squad test regularly and have had some positives returned.
“Therefore, all the first team squad and staff will be at home until Tuesday when they will report back for a new round of testing.
“At this stage we fully expect to be ready to play our away game against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day and our home games against Bolton Wanderers on December 29 and Crewe Alexandra on New Year’s Day.
“The playing operation is separate from all other activities at the Pirelli Stadium, which continues to operate as normal. All club staff are tested and are all negative.
“All tickets purchased for the MK Dons game will be valid for the rearranged fixture, which will be announced in due course. Once the new date is announced, anyone unable to attend can ask for a refund.”