Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We have done everything right to make it safe to get fans back ..it’s frustrating this has now been stopped
EFL BOSS PARRY ON THE CROWD U-TURN
RICK PARRY has revealed his “deep frustration” at the Government for blocking fans returning to games.
The EFL chairman insists that, even with the Government’s new restrictions, it still would have been possible to allow supporters to go to games while observing social distancing.
It has come as a huge body blow – in particular to League One and League Two clubs, who are facing financial ruin without gate receipts and match-day income.
EFL clubs staged “successful” pilot schemes last weekend to allow limited numbers back into grounds with the hope that more would be allowed after October 1.
But the Government have now put that on “pause” and the reality is that the EFL and clubs fear they could be facing the 2020/21 season without supporters – which would leave them at breaking point.
Parry’s voice has been a powerful one during the pandemic, he has earned wide praise from clubs for the way he has handled the issue and he has spoken up again.
It is a very reasoned argument as he insists they can get fans back in while still observing new rules. Parry (left) said: “Following the successful return of supporters to seven fixtures on Saturday, the EFL is disappointed at yesterday’s decision to suspend plans for the return of fans.
“Of course, we recognise that the UK is facing a significant public health crisis and sport has to play its part
in helping the Government manage the spread of the virus at this difficult time. This is why, over many months, we have helped the Government devise, refine and pilot stringent stadium protocols designed to keep supporters safe.
“Staging professional football matches is one of the most heavily regulated areas of crowd management and any suppor t ers att ending EFL fixtures – in vastly reduced numbers – would have been required to adhere to social distancing and the rule of six.
“Therefore we are deeply frustrated that we will not be able to continue this work and, in doing so, gather the evidence to show that crowds can return safely to football and become an important financial lifeline.
“As a matter of urgency, we now need to understand what the Government’s roadmap is for getting supporters back into stadiums as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
“With extended measures introduced, it is imperative that the financial issues facing our clubs are addressed quickly.
“We remain optimistic that a solution will be found, but we should also be very clear that, if it is not, then the outlook for many clubs in the period ahead will be very challenging.”
It may be that by pushing so hard to get fans back in, the EFL has ended up with an own goal as the Government has n now pushed back in a way t they might not have done h had the date been a little l later.
But the knock-on effects are huge as the prospect of a whole season without fans is not just devastating financially, but supporters are denied the chance to watch their team.
Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, says fans fear the worst for their t clubs.
Miles said: “If you can’t get supporters in grounds, something has to be done to make sure that clubs who depend on that match-day revenue from fans are able to survive.”
Ben Brad l e y MP, a Mansfield Town fan, said: “Given that many clubs are so reliant on gate receipts to be viable, they are busin esses and important parts of the community too.”
TAKING PRECAUTIONS A Charlton fan backs his team in a mask, while a Norwich supporter sanitises his hands