EFL 'deeply frustrated' after Government pauses plans for fans to return

The EFL have declared themselves 'deeply frustrated' after the news yesterday that the Government has decided to suspend plans for fans to return to matches in the near future.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously given hope that supporters would be allowed back into stadiums early next month, when Luton themselves were hosting Wycombe Wanderers.

But despite allowing seven pilot events to go ahead last weekend, with the UK's Covid-19 alert level moving to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially", this will now not be the case as Johnson said: "We will not be able to do this from 1 October and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs, which are the life and soul of our communities.

"The chancellor and the culture secretary are working urgently on what we can do now to support them."

However, a statement on behalf of EFL Chair, Rick Parry, released today labelled the news as a huge blow and confirmed financial assistance will now be sought to prevent clubs from going out of business if fans aren't allowed back in the near future.

It said: "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."