EFL pledge £50m fund to help clubs after virus suspension

THE EFL has announced a £50m short-term relief package to assist cash-strapped clubs during the coronavirus crisis.

Finance was key among the topics discussed at yesterdays’s EFL Board, when a plan to help ease the financial burden was agreed.

In a statement, the competition said: “As part of the league’s continued contingency planning, the board heard the comments and observations from EFL clubs, before discussing a number of issues including the current financial position and implications, insurance, regulatory matters and broadcasting arrangements.

“Discussions centred on financial relief for clubs in the short term and while there is no one single solution, measures are to be put in place to immediately assist with cash flow via a £50m short-term relief package.”

Such news will be a welcome shot in the arm to teams, with Covid-19 leaving League One and League Two clubs facing a reported £50m black hole.

The EFL board continues to review the threat and impact of the pandemic through a dedicated taskforce, but underlined that finishing the season is key.

“The primary objective, in order to protect competition integrity, is to deliver a successful conclusion to the 2019-20 season, subject to the overriding priority around health and well-being,” the statement read.

“Plans continue to be developed on the agreed principle that it is in the best interests of the EFL and clubs to complete the current season at the appropriate time.

“The EFL is continuing regular dialogue with the government and relevant health authorities and, as and when more information is known regarding the scale and extent of the coronavirus outbreak in this country, a decision will be taken on the resumption of the league’s fixtures.”

Meanwhile, Salford City’s return to Wembley on April 5, where they were due to face Portsmouth in the Leasing.com Trophy final, has been postponed with no new date yet set. 50,000 tickets have been sold for the game.