From Greg Clarke
We live in uncertain times and our priority is to support the Government’s public health initiatives. The wellbeing of all of us, and especially our most vulnerable members, must be our focus and the Government’s instructions regarding social distancing are our route to safety.
However, football needs to pay attention to the economic effects of the pandemic as well as rigorously following public health guidance.
Football, like many other sectors of the economy has been hit hard by effectively closing down its business. From grassroots through the semi-professional pyramid to the professional game: clubs have closed, games are cancelled, terraces are empty and cash flow has stalled.
Yesterday, Mark Bullingham, the FA Chief Executive, announced the measures the FA Board approved to stabilise our finances given the suspension of the games that drive our revenue streams. The FA is suffering from the severe financial consequences of the pandemic which could be in the range £150 million upwards over the next two years. The pay cuts and furloughing we have implemented buys us time to understand more fully the duration of the lockdown and its economic impact on us.
Returning to the issue of uncertainty, no one knows how long the lock down will last and what social distancing measures will endure even when the daily rate of infection is much reduced. Our Government is rightly cautious as human life is at stake and prudence is our only sensible option.
We are committed to finishing the professional football season as this resolves the issues of promotion and relegation together with title winners on merit. However, we may not be able to finish the season as football is not our priority, human life is, and we will do as the Government directs as the pandemic unfolds.
Further down the football pyramid, our Leagues have requested that the season is curtailed and that decision rests with the FA Council.
Football faces economic challenges beyond the wildest imagination of those who run it. The pandemic will be followed by its economic consequences and all business sectors will suffer.
We face the danger of losing clubs and leagues as finances collapse. Many communities could lose the clubs at their heart with little chance of resurrection.
In the face of this unprecedented adversity, all the stakeholders within the game from players, fans, clubs, owners and administrators need to step up and share the pain to keep the game alive.
Everyone should understand that the Premier League clubs are not immune from the impact of this and whilst they are impacted to different degrees depending on their cost base, the potential overall financial impact is huge.
We must have a plan to ensure that English football is not decimated should this season be lost and next season blighted. We hope we do not need this plan as we are all determined to finish the professional football season, however we would be fools not to develop such a contingency plan. Those that lost their clubs because English football did not rise to the challenge would rightly judge us harshly.
Time is pressing as football burns through its cash reserves with no sign yet of a resumption of the game. Pointing fingers serves no purpose.
It is time for the stakeholders to agree common cause to save our game. Contribute. Football is a team game and now is the time for teamwork.
The FA looks forward to working with all football stakeholders to safeguard the future of our game.
Reality needs to set in
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Scarf (U21116)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by Naby8 (U6997)
posted 27 minutes ago
I suspect the EPL will go for a restructured TV deal to try and front load the 3 year deal to stave off the immediate threat at the expense of years 2 & 3. Although there will probably need to be some compromises made from football as well - giving TV companies additional games and access the 3pm kick offs is an obvious step.
The lower leagues could be in huge trouble though because the income streams are predominately based on the fans. I do fear we’ll lose several clubs.
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All perfectly feasible.
And so the question is;
In order for the Premier League to finish Season 2019/20, how Clubs are we prepared to lose?
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The two aren't inextricably linked, obviously. Many, many clubs will need new forms of income - just saying, it’s ok we’re binning they EPL so you can start again in August isn’t going to cut it.
I don’t know what the answer is. Perhaps it’s trickle down, perhaps it’s televising behind closed doors games, perhaps it’s tax breaks. I don’t know. What I do know is that it’s significantly more complex than your oversimplification.
posted on 8/4/20
"I see no way for Liverpool to stay untitled. If the championship resumes, they will almost certainly win it - theoretically, it has not yet reached the guaranteed level, but it is practically close," Ceferin told Slovenian sports daily Ekipa.
"However, if it could not be played, it would also be necessary to announce the results in some way and find some key on how the champions should be determined. And, of course, again I do not see a scenario in which that would not be Liverpool.
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UEFA president letting then down slowly that even if its voided Liverpool will getvyhe title.
Looks like there's no escaping this.
posted on 8/4/20
"I see no way for Liverpool to stay untitled. If the championship resumes, they will almost certainly win it - theoretically, it has not yet reached the guaranteed level, but it is practically close," Ceferin told Slovenian sports daily Ekipa.
"However, if it could not be played, it would also be necessary to announce the results in some way and find some key on how the champions should be determined. And, of course, again I do not see a scenario in which that would not be Liverpool.
posted on 8/4/20
"I understand that fans will be disappointed if it happens in an empty stadium or even at the green table, but I believe they will win the title one way or another."
posted on 8/4/20
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 7 hours, 42 minutes ago
"I understand that fans will be disappointed if it happens in an empty stadium or even at the green table, but I believe they will win the title one way or another."
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yeah that is ridiculous stuff.
nobody cares
posted on 8/4/20
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52191973
more reality being pumped out by prem. however defending clubs using the furlough as well.
posted on 8/4/20
comment by Cinciwolf----JA606 NFL Fantasy Champion 2019--... (U11551)
posted 9 hours, 48 minutes ago
Baseball looking to start up in May behind closed doors.
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You have to feel for the tens of people who still go to baseball games.
posted on 8/4/20
Theres surely no way they can play baseball in yankland in the midst of this.
Trump is really going to get a lot of americans killed the way he is going on. every day its a different message.
posted on 8/4/20
comment by moreinjuredthanowen (U9641)
posted 4 hours, 25 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 7 hours, 42 minutes ago
"I understand that fans will be disappointed if it happens in an empty stadium or even at the green table, but I believe they will win the title one way or another."
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yeah that is ridiculous stuff.
nobody cares
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Everybody cares.
posted on 8/4/20
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 hours, 21 minutes ago
comment by Cinciwolf----JA606 NFL Fantasy Champion 2019--... (U11551)
posted 9 hours, 48 minutes ago
Baseball looking to start up in May behind closed doors.
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You have to feel for the tens of people who still go to baseball games.
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28,300 average attendance at a game, 162 game season. 2430 games total. Quite amazing really.