Macclesfield Express

Silkmen season is at standstill M

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ACCLESFIEL­D Town’s season continues to be up in the air due to the ongoing coronaviru­s pandemic that is sweeping the globe.

The EFL made the decision last week to suspend football until April 3 at the earliest, with the health and safety of those attending matches taken into considerat­ion.

As the virus continues to grow day by day, the EFL released their most recent statement earlier this week discussing the pandemic.

They said: “The health and well-being of EFL staff, players, Club employees and supporters is of paramount importance and will be key to the decisions made by football during what is clearly an unpreceden­ted situation facing our game.

“It is with that in the forefront of the League’s mind that it notes the intense speculatio­n that has appeared across the local, national and internatio­nal media over the weekend.

“Whilst the League and its Board understand there is a strong desire from both the media and general public to understand what may happen next, there have, at this current time, been no decisions taken.

“The League also feels it inappropri­ate to respond to the many hypothetic­al solutions being suggested whilst the many unknowns remain. Given the fast paced environmen­t and parameters we are currently working within, it is simply not practical to give a running commentary on what may happen.

“In the immediate short term we will continue with our contingenc­y planning to deal with the implicatio­ns the outbreak of Covid-19 has presented the EFL and its Clubs, in addition to liaising with the Government, health authoritie­s and football partners. A further update will be given once the EFL

Board has met this week.

“In the meantime, we wish the football and wider community well and urge all to follow the guidance from the Government provided by Public Health England if presented with any symptoms.”

EFL Chair, Rick Parry added: “These are indeed challengin­g times for the League, its Clubs and the game as a whole.

“However, now is the time for cool heads and calm reflection, rather than speculatio­n as we look to steer our competitio­ns and Clubs through this period of uncertaint­y.”

Last week’s postpone

‘The League feels it is inappropri­ate to respond to the many hypothetic­al solutions being suggested whilst the unknowns remain’

ment came when Macclesfie­ld were due to welcome Walsall to the Moss Rose on Saturday, and it has also seen their home games with Cheltenham and Carlise, along with their away match against Bradford City postponed.

Based on the proposed April 4 return date that has been set by the EFL and the Premier League, Macc are currently scheduled to return to action with a trip to Field Mill to face Mansfield Town, but it again remains unknown at this stage whether or not that will be possible due to the current outbreak.

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