50 stars refuse to play ball

Brighton’s technical director fears the implications of the current crisis could have a devastating effect all the way down the football pyramid.

EFL clubs rebelled against proposals to put Premier League B teams into the lower divisions when they were put forward six years ago to help the development of home-grown players.

But Ashworth, who was the FA’S director of elite development at the time, believes it could be back on the table to help bail out lower division clubs facing massive financial problems.

He said: “Everyone starts by looking at their own house. Our budgets, what our outgoings and incomings are. A few years ago, we explored strategic loan clubs, B teams, partner clubs, those sort of things.

“Maybe things like that come back on the table because if there is a shortage of money everybody has to cut their cloth accordingly.

“Ground sharing has been looked at, artificial surfaces that can be used for numerous things, from concerts to training and women’s and men’s games, in the same venue. Maybe we become more resourceful and share those resources accordingly.

“There’s a great phrase… the more resources you have, the more resourceful you become. I wonder whether we’re in that state with

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this increased number could seriously undermine the Premier League’s hopes of a return to action.

Players have voiced concerns about passing on the virus to family members, particularly those with underlying health conditions.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber confirmed they have several

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CASH FEARS: Dan Ashworth

football at the moment.” Ashworth believes football is heading for a reboot, while also facing issues over the June 30 contract situation.

He added: “Maybe there is a correction in the market with what we pay for wages, transfer fees, agents’ fees etc.

“That may be more short term than looking at the whole wide governance of the game. There’s two parts to June 30, in that players out on loan, in the players who have fears over a return. He said: “We have a player whose partner has a serious medical condition – we need to understand if he doesn’t want to play or refuses to play where we stand. “We’ve also got players with young babies and players that live in close majority of cases, are until June 30. Then you’ve got players who are potentially running out of contract or the option part.

“I think the majority of players would because I don’t think they could sign for anyone else.” proximity to elderly parents. We’ve got all these issues.”

Meanwhile, FIFA have given the Premier League the green light to scrap VAR as part of Project Restart – but they seem likely to keep it.

But Monday’s Premier League meeting seems certain to OK the use of five subs, with concerns over fatigue and the build up of games.