EFL chairman urges government to help
THE EFL have expressed their frustration following the government’s decision to call off plans for fans to return to stadiums. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Tuesday that efforts to reintroduce supporters to grounds across the EFL and Premier League next month were being “paused”. The Football League had been hopeful that fans would be able to return to grounds from the beginning of October, following the staging of a number of pilot events this month.
Instead, lower league clubs like Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United now face an uncertain future, with the government’s new proposals set to be in place for months, and games could potentially remain behind closed doors until the end of the current season.
In response, the EFL have asked for the government to outline what their plans are for getting fans back into stadiums “as a matter of urgency”.
In a statement, EFL chairman Rick Parry 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 to matches.
“Of course we recognise that the UK is facing a significant public health crisis and that 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 supporters attending
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 for our clubs. “Therefore, 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.
“EFL clubs lost £50m last season as a result of playing matches behind closed doors or curtailing the season and stand to lose a further £200m in 2020/21 should we be required to play the whole season without supporters in grounds.
“I am encouraged that the Government has recognised the need for urgent financial assistance for sport.”