Elite sport should look at ways to support itself, insists UK Sports Minister Huddleston
Top-level sport should look to “support itself ” in the absence of paying spectators with the UK government focusing on those most in need, Sports Minister Nigel Huddles ton has said.
The decision to scrap plans to re introduce spectators because of a rise in coronavirus infections is set to have a “devastating impact”, governing bodies have warned.
The Scottish Sports Minister Joe Fitzpatrick has written to Huddleston seeking urgent discussions on a financial rescue package for Scottish sport following a warning of the “catastrophic” consequences of fans not attending games.
Huddleston told the House of Commons yesterday that a funding package for sport was being looked at. The arts sector has received a £1.5 billion package but Huddleston’s remarks cast doubt on whether a similar amount will be available to sports.
In response to a question from shadow sports minister Al is on Mcgovern, Huddles ton said :“I can assure you we’ re having detailed conversations with sport, in cluding football, and we appreciate this latest announcement (banning spectators) will have economic consequences for sport and we had been hoping for the return of spectators that bring in so much income.
“Where it can, we will expect the top tiers of professional sport to look at ways it can support itself, with the government focusing on those most in need.”
Any government rescue package will take time to formulate and approve, and it is understood that is why sport did not feature among a package of economic measures set out by Chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday.
Scotland’ s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday that the return of supporters to sports grounds had been postponed.
Scottish football depends heavily on ticket revenue and the situation has been described as “grave” by Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPFL, who has warned that the existence of some clubs is now under threat.