Premier’s plan to help out EFL
ROCHDALE could receive part of a multi-million pound handout from Premier League clubs if the English Football League manage to get the 2019/20 season up and running again.
Football has been postponed at all levels since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but top flight clubs are looking at a behindclosed-doors return provisionally set for June 12 pending government approval.
Several Premier League clubs have already returned to training, and, while they are observing social distancing measures, there has been criticism of a proposed resumption of the league given the fact football is a contact sport.
One of the fiercest critics has been former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville
“Who is going to stand up of any prevalence and individual to stand up and against their employees, me medical cover so that I which doctor is going to into the new year of 2021. say it’s safe for football put their name on a state- the football players, going can put my players back in give that medical cover, This money would come players to play football?’ ment that they’re going to back to work. training, and he said quite it’s going to have to on top of the existing ‘solidarity’ he asked on Sky News. give football clubs cover “I’ve asked the question categorically said no. come from the government. payments. “I’m waiting for that for health and safety of my doctor; will you give “I’m not quite sure “The industry has been
“I’m not sure which effectively taken out at the government minister is knees as a result of the going to say it’s safe for pandemic,” football football players to go back finance expert Kieran out in the next few weeks.” Maguire told the BBC.
So far, there has been “Both Macclesfield and no date set for an EFL Southend failed to pay return with the governing wages in February. Oldham body expressing concerns didn’t pay their over adequate testing March wages until, I think, measures for players. two days ago, so there’s a Even if adequate testing backlog in terms of wages procedures were put in being paid. place, it leaves the moral “How clubs can address question of whether it’s that is beyond me if there right to be testing footballers is no money coming in in order to get a through the turnstiles, game on when there is which accounts for still insufficient testing around 40-50% of total for NHS staff. income for some League
The financial incentive One and League Two for a return to action clubs.” comes from several topflight The EFL has said it will owners said to be follow the government’s concerned about the welfare guidelines before making of the game beyond any decisions on whether the elite and would help or not the 2019-20 season EFL clubs survive while can resume, how the income streams are issues of promotion and severely limited as games relegation will be decided are played without supporters if not, and when fans can present, possibly attend matches. Published by MEN Media, Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, OL9 8EF. Printed by Reach Printing Services (Oldham) Limited, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EB