EFL chairman Rick Parry has warned it is ‘imperative’ the government addresses financial challenges facing football clubs.
The government announced on Tuesday it was scrapping pilot plans for football fans to return to stadiums in its announcement of new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
That’s despite seven fixtures in the EFL already going ahead with allowing some supporters into games last weekend and even more clubs following suit further down the football pyramid.
Many clubs now face an uncertain future with matchday revenue crucial to their survival, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the new measures could last up to six months.
And EFL chair Parry has warned the government must address the issues ‘quickly’, expressing his disappointment over Tuesday’s announcement.
The full statement from Parry and the EFL reads: “Following the successful return of supporters to seven fixtures on Saturday, the EFL is disappointed at yesterday’s decision to suspend plans for the return of fans to matches.
“Of course we recognise that the UK is facing a significant public health crisis and that sport has to play its part in helping the Government manage the spread of the virus at this difficult time.
“This is why over many months we have helped the Government devise, refine and pilot stringent stadium protocols designed to keep supporters safe.
“Staging professional football matches is one of the most heavily regulated areas of crowd management and any supporters attending EFL fixtures, in vastly reduced numbers, would have been required to adhere to social distancing and the rule of six.
“Therefore we are deeply frustrated that we will not be able to continue this work and, in doing so, gather the evidence to show that crowds can return safely to football and become an important financial lifeline for our clubs.
“Therefore, as a matter of urgency we now need to understand what the Government’s roadmap is for getting supporters back into stadiums as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
“With extended measures introduced, it is imperative that the financial issues facing our Clubs are addressed quickly. EFL Clubs lost £50m last season as a result of playing matches behind closed doors or curtailing the season and stand to lose a further £200m in 2020/21 should we be required to play the whole season without supporters in grounds.
“I am encouraged that the Government has recognised the need for urgent financial assistance for sport and discussions will continue with DCMS and the Premier League.
“We remain optimistic that a solution will be found but we should also be very clear that if it is not, then the outlook for many clubs in the period ahead will be very challenging.”
