All
football is on hold as the county battles the disease with the original date of
April 30th already put back, with officials making it clear football won’t
return until it is safe to do so.
Clubs
across the football Pyramid are facing financial problems with cashflow issues
as a result of the 2019/20 campaign being suspended.
There
is a will to complete the season, but it is not yet clear when that will be a
realistic goal.
Several
clubs have all placed non-playing staff across departments on furlough leave
already.
But
the Premier League has now announced a funding boost for the lower leagues,
although it is not yet clear how that would be distributed on a short-term
basis to help clubs survive and to ensure there is a football Pyramid to return
to when football resumes.
In
a lengthy statement announcing a range of measures, the Premier League said:
“Discussions also took place regarding financial relief for clubs in the short-term
and while there is no single solution, measures are to be put in place to
immediately deal with the impact of falling cash flow.
“Critically,
the league unanimously voted to advance funds of £125 million to the EFL and
National League as it is aware of the severe difficulties clubs throughout the
football pyramid are suffering at this time.”
Premier
League players could be asked to take a 30% pay cut.
The
statement added: “In the face of substantial and continuing losses for the
2019/20 season since the suspension of matches began, and to protect employment
throughout the professional game, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to
consult their players regarding a combination of conditional reductions and
deferrals amounting to 30% of total annual remuneration.
“This
guidance will be kept under constant review.
“The
league will be in regular contact with the PFA, and the union will join a
meeting which will be held tomorrow between the league, players and club
representatives”. |