Robinson says EFL are right to try to carry on
BREWERS CHAIRMAN SEES HOPE IN VACCINATION RATE
BURTON Albion chairman Ben Robinson has welcomed the EFL’S decision to continue their programme of games as scheduled and insisted a “circuit-breaker” is not the solution, despite rising Covid-19 cases in the sport.
The Brewers were unable to face MK Dons last weekend due to a number of players testing positive for coronavirus but matches in Sky Bet League One as well as the Championship and League Two can go ahead as planned on Boxing Day following a statement by the governing body on Monday.
The Brewers are due to be away to Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day but with players due in for the latest round of testing yesterday, no announcement had been made about whether or not Covid might see that match postponed when the Mail went to press.
While the EFL acknowledged there were likely to be several more future postponements, which has already proved the case, the governing body expressed “optimism that disruption can be minimised following implementation of red protocols, a daily testing regime and ongoing vaccination rollout.”
Robinson echoed those sentiments, telling the PA news agency: “We have had players who have tested positive for Covid but the players are being tested every day with the new protocols and the position has improved.
“This problem could still be with us for some time and we have to learn to live with it, learn to deal with it how we see best and having a break isn’t going to be the solution. “I think we have to accept this will happen. People will get Covid, have to isolate and we need to try and continue our lives with as much normality as possible.”
While games in England on Boxing Day are set to be played as scheduled and with fans present, that is not the case in Wales, with all sporting events in the country to be held behind closed doors from December 26 due to a change in coronavirus regulations.
A £3m spectator sports fund will be available to support those clubs affected by the loss of spectator revenue and even though Robinson hopes a similar situation will not happen in England, due to the vaccination roll-out, he said EFL teams would need assistance from the Government if a pause or return to football without supporters occurred.
The long-serving Brewers chairman added: “We don’t want to get back to a complete lockdown like we experienced before because we saw the devastating effects of that in terms of people’s health and how
they dealt with it. Also, there is the commercial and financial aspect of it.
“We have seen there is a £3m package to support organisations who will lose business. Boxing Day is a big day for sport and the hospitality industry.
“I am sure the turnover lost makes a significant contribution to those businesses, not just for that month but for several months.
“It is good to see the Welsh Government come up with that compensation and I would hope if it does have to happen in this country that, similarly, our Government would step in and provide financial support for those businesses who would undoubtedly be really badly financially affected.
“But we have a different scenario now because a big chunk of the country have had three jabs and we’re told the new Omicron variant is not as potent as Delta certainly was.”
Robinson’s daughter, Fleur, formerly the Brewers’ commercial director, is chief executive of National League Wrexham, one of the Welsh clubs playing against English opposition who will now be playing behind closed doors.
They are due to be at home to Solihull Moors on Boxing Day and said in a statement: “We are disappointed that fans will be unable to attend our scheduled Boxing Day fixture at the Racecourse Ground but we understand why the decision has been made.
“For any game that is played behind closed doors while these restrictions are in place, the club will refund all moneys paid and will share more details regarding this in due course.
“This will apply to both season ticket holders and those who have
A big chunk of the country have had three jabs now and we’re told Omicron is not as potent as Delta.
Ben Robinson
bought tickets for the specific match(es).”
Meanwhile, Cardiff City are one of three Welsh EFL clubs to be affected by the new regulations, although their Boxing Day fixture at home to Coventry City was already postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak in their squad.
Chief executive Mehmet Dalman conceded returning behind closed doors is a “major blow” and is anticipating further developments to come.
Asked if Cardiff fans could travel to away matches in England, Dalman told Talksport: “Theoretically speaking that’s correct, in practical terms, let’s see what happens next.
“There are a lot more developments to come, I’m sure of that.
“So I would just wait to see the next announcements from the government as to the guidelines and we go from there.”