Fans are back in lockdown as turnstiles remain closed

SPORTS clubs and associations in England are facing up to the bleak prospect of six further months without spectators after plans for a fans’ return in October were scrapped.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that the Government could not go aheadwiththeplannedreopening of venues on a socially- distanced basis from October 1 due to a second wave of coronavirus infections. The plan would have seen venues capped at between 25 and 35 per cent of capacity.

He suggested the measures introduced on Tuesday would remain in place for “perhaps six months”, making it almost certain that the sports sector will need some financial support from the Government to prevent an unprecedented loss of professional and grassroots clubs from the landscape.

Sports governing bodies held an emergency meeting with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden late on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the impact of the delay in spectators returning, and it is understood the talks will move at a fast pace and seek to identify where the help is most urgently and critically needed.

The plight of EFL clubs has been well- documented, with its chairman Rick Parry stating they would lose a collective £ 200m if the entire 2020- 21 season had to be played behind closed doors. Talks continue between the EFL and the Premier League over a rescue package, and it is understood the Government’s position remains that the English top flight should be the ones to provide financial aid to the EFL.

The Rugby Football Union has warned of “severe consequences” for its clubs and community game and called for Government aid.

English cricket recently revealed it had lost £ 100m as a result of the pandemic and that could double with further disruption next year.

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read: “The impact of having to stage cricket behind closed doors again next year would be severe. Many clubs will also face a significant financial impact if they are unable to host conferences and events over the coming months.”

Dowden has promised to work with sports to try to limit the damage.

He tweeted: “I’ve just held a meeting with major spectator sports to discuss today’s decision to help contain the virus through winter. We agreed to work together to help them through this difficult period.”