EFL determined to finish the 2019-20 season despite coronavirus pandemic

The EFL board have expressed their desire to complete the 2019-20 season after a meeting was held this afternoon to discuss the implications of the coronavirus outbreak,

The campaign was suspended last Friday, with Luton Town and their fellow Championship clubs, all having nine games remaining, with promotion and relegation still very much in the balance.

It had been hoped that football would return on April 3, but with no end in sight to the pandemic, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed schools would be shut from Friday, that appears very unlikely.

After the meeting was held, a statement release by the EFL said: "The primary objective, in order to protect competition integrity, is to deliver a successful conclusion to the 2019/20 season, subject to the over-riding priority around health and well-being.

"Plans continue to be developed on the agreed principle that it is in the best interests of the EFL and clubs to complete the current season at the appropriate time.

"The EFL is continuing regular dialogue with the Government and relevant health authorities and, as and when more information is known regarding the scale and extent of the coronavirus outbreak in this country, a decision will be taken on the resumption of the League’s fixtures.

"Conversations will continue with the EFL’s counterparts at the FA, the Premier League, the PFA and the LMA to ensure football achieves a joined-up and collaborative approach."

With three games already postponed, and more likely to follow, then there is a real threat to club's existences, with all suffering a huge drop to their income during suspension.

The EFL went on to confirm will be financial support made available, saying: "As part of the League’s continued contingency planning, the board heard the comments and observations from EFL clubs, before discussing a number of issues including the current financial position and implications, insurance, regulatory matters and broadcasting arrangements.

"Discussions centred on financial relief for clubs in the short term and while there is no one single solution, measures are to be put in place to immediately assist with cash flow via a £50million short-term relief package.

"This fund consists of the remaining Basic Award payments being advanced to clubs immediately, with the remainder made up through interest-free loan facility available to clubs, calculated in line with the EFL’s Article of Associations.

"The cash injection is included as part of a series of measures, that includes potential Government support to help clubs and their associated businesses through this period of uncertainty.

"The EFL welcomes last night’s announcement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and is continuing discussions to understand how our clubs can access the funding made available to support businesses.

"In addition, we will continue our discussions with our football partners to determine how we can all get through this difficult, challenging and unprecedented situation."