June return for EFL clubs to commence season?
The EFL remain hopeful that the current season can be completed in the summer months, with one club chairman believing there is a ‘chance’ of a return in early June.
Forest Green’s Dale Vince says the situation remains ‘out of football’s hands’ and key to any potential return would be the viability of testing players regularly.
The Premier League are expected to take on the cost of testing for their clubs but this is clearly a much more difficult issue in the three leagues below.
“I'm not aware of any conversationsaroundcosts,”Vince said.
“But it's important any testing we do doesn't conflict with anytestinginthepublicrealm, particularly of frontline staff. It's important that what we do in football doesn't hinder the general population.
“The ability to test and contact trace is really important to the national recovery and presuming that goes well then there'sachancewecangetfootball back on. I would say June 6 is probably the earliest but a numberofthingshavetocome together for that to happen, it could easily be a week or two later."
The EFL have previously told clubs they believe the season can be completed in 56 days, and have advised of a possible return to training on May 16, though this is clearly dependent on government advice.
EFL Chairman Rick Parry has already told supporters that football will resume behind closed doors, something that remains a concern for a number of club owners.
The EFL have promised to investigate how the losses this would incur could be mitigated against.