NFL Standings ‘EPL losing more than $128 mln per month’

LONDON, Sept 22, (AP): The English Premier League warned of the devastating financial impact on clubs as supporters faced being locked out of games for another six months after new pandemic restrictions were imposed by the government on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson put on hold plans to allow the phased return of spectators into sporting venues in England from Oct 1 because of a spike in coronavirus cases.

“We are disappointed that the safe return of supporters to matches has been postponed,” the Premier League said in a statement.

Pilot test events have been held across sports venues with capacity restricted at 1,000. But the new Premier League started this month in empty stadiums, with fans last allowed into games in March before last season’s 100-day shutdown.

“Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them,” the Premier League said. “Last season, Premier League clubs suffered 700 million pounds ($897 million) in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than 100 million pounds ($128 million) per month.