EFL intend to complete season and set-up £50m relief pot
League chiefs say their “primary objective” is to complete the season, once the coronavirus lockdown is eased. Stuart Rayner reports.
THE English Football League (EFL) is to set up a £50m shortterm relief package, and has stressed its “primary objective” is to complete the 2019-20 season if safe to do so.
Whilst keen to reiterate the importance it places on the health and well-being of staff, players, club employees and supporters, the league’s board stressed the need to try to protect the integrity of the competition after Wednesday’s meeting where there was a detailed briefing on the latest coronavirus situation.
The fixture list has been suspended as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Initially that was done until “at least April 3” but on Wednesday the line was that “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”.
A statement from the league also said: “The primary objective, in order to protect competition integrity, is to deliver a successful conclusion to the 2019-20 season, subject to the over-riding priority around health and well-being. Plans continue to be developed on the agreed principle that it is in the best interests of the EFL and (its) clubs to complete the current season at the appropriate time.”
The EFL are determined to finish the 2019-20 season, with some clubs having just nine games remaining.
Declaring the season null and void would deny Championship Leeds United and League One Rotherham United promotion, while deciding promotion and relegation on the current tables, where many teams
have nine games to play, would mean Barnsley do not get the opportunity to escape from the relegation zone, and Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City would miss the chance to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs.
The board also stressed the need for “a joined-up and collaborative approach” within the game.
Insurance, regulatory matters and broadcasting arrangements were also discussed, but the immediate response was a £50m short-term relief package to assist with cash flows. Basic award payments will be made immediately, and the rest of the money will be available as interest-free loans.
The league also floated the idea of “potential Government support to help clubs and their associated businesses through this period of uncertainty”.
A number of clubs at Football League level and below will be at risk if they have to go without gate receipts for a prolonged period of time.
League One Bury were expelled from the league earlier in the campaign because of financial difficulties, and a number of other clubs have been unable to pay their wages on time.
The EFL board outlined its determination to make a positive contribution to the country’s efforts to tackle coronavirus, and acknowledged the positive role its clubs play in community solidarity, especially in supporting the vulnerable.
■ Premier League clubs will gather via conference call this morning to discuss fixtures and finances amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Top-flight action is suspended until April 4 at the earliest, and measures around social distancing mean no clubs will be present in person for the meeting.
It is understood that no decisions will be taken on what would happen in the event of it becoming impossible for the competition to restart, with the focus primarily on how the fixture schedule could be completed.