https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fa-chief-greg-clarke-fears-the-season-will-not-finish-c57rs2mbq
FA chief Greg Clarke fears the season will not finish
Excerpts...
The FA chairman Greg Clarke has told the Premier League that he does not think the domestic football season will be completed, sparking fears of huge financial repercussions for the clubs.
Clarke attended the emergency Premier League meeting in London yesterday, which concluded by suspending the Premier League, EFL, the FA Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship until April 3 in response to a series of coronavirus cases across the game.
The risk to the top flight, and indeed to Uefa, of not completing the season is that it could jeopardise billions of pounds in TV money. For the Premier League alone, losses could amount to as much as £750 million.
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At the Premier League meeting yesterday, it was Clarke who addressed the elephant in the room when he said that he did not think it was “feasible” the season would be completed. Government guidance has suggested that coronavirus will not peak until about mid-June. Clarke clearly thinks that a rise in coronavirus cases will simply make it impossible for clubs to honour their fixtures.
It is understood that Paul Barber, the Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive, responded by questioning the wisdom of suspending matches only until the start of next month if the situation is going escalate well into the summer.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, responded by saying that although he recognised the challenges ahead should the forecast prove correct, the temporary suspension would at least give them time to consider the potential consequences and debate the possible solutions. At present, Liverpool sit 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with nine games remaining.
.....
Great that Paul spoke out. Experts predict a peak in UK in June. Football probably won't be back to normal by August, let alone April 3.
FA chief Greg Clarke fears the season will not finish
Excerpts...
The FA chairman Greg Clarke has told the Premier League that he does not think the domestic football season will be completed, sparking fears of huge financial repercussions for the clubs.
Clarke attended the emergency Premier League meeting in London yesterday, which concluded by suspending the Premier League, EFL, the FA Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship until April 3 in response to a series of coronavirus cases across the game.
The risk to the top flight, and indeed to Uefa, of not completing the season is that it could jeopardise billions of pounds in TV money. For the Premier League alone, losses could amount to as much as £750 million.
.....
At the Premier League meeting yesterday, it was Clarke who addressed the elephant in the room when he said that he did not think it was “feasible” the season would be completed. Government guidance has suggested that coronavirus will not peak until about mid-June. Clarke clearly thinks that a rise in coronavirus cases will simply make it impossible for clubs to honour their fixtures.
It is understood that Paul Barber, the Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive, responded by questioning the wisdom of suspending matches only until the start of next month if the situation is going escalate well into the summer.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, responded by saying that although he recognised the challenges ahead should the forecast prove correct, the temporary suspension would at least give them time to consider the potential consequences and debate the possible solutions. At present, Liverpool sit 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with nine games remaining.
.....
Great that Paul spoke out. Experts predict a peak in UK in June. Football probably won't be back to normal by August, let alone April 3.
