March 19 – The English Football League, which represents the three professional divisions immediately below the Premier League, is to release a £50 million short-term relief fund to help cash-strapped clubs hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
Like everywhere else in Europe, football has ground to a halt in England and it is unlikely the leagues will resume in early April, as initially planned.
The EFL has moved quickly to help clubs struggling with the ramifications.
“While there is no one single solution, measures are to be put in place to immediately assist with cash flow via a £50 million short-term relief package,” the EFL said in a statement after a board meeting.
Clubs below the Premier League rely heavily on match-day revenue to stay afloat.
“The primary objective, in order to protect competition integrity, is to deliver a successful conclusion to the 2019-20 season, subject to the overriding priority around health and well-being,” the EFL said.
In Scotland, players and staff at top-flight club Hearts have been asked to take a 50% wage cut amid financial fears during the outbreak.
Hearts owner Ann Budge said the club was taking cost-cutting steps in order to prevent redundancies.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714033276labto1714033276ofdlr1714033276owedi1714033276sni@w1714033276ahsra1714033276w.wer1714033276dna1714033276