Premier League Pressured to Financially Support Clubs

Britain’s Parliament has increased their demands onto the Premier League on September 27th. It follows after the Premier League continued requesting government financial aid to sustain lower-division clubs. These requests angered Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with financial assistance issued from the government during COVID-19 meant to assist civilians & not sporting associations. In response, Britain’s government has demanded that the Premier League financially assistant lower-division clubs.

The Premier League have refused these demands for weeks, with the most recent forcing EFL Executives to schedule a virtual meeting for September 29th. Discussions will be held regarding the possibility of EFL financially supporting 72 football clubs in three divisions across England.

English Football League data suggests that £200 Million will be lost amongst these 72 clubs, under the conditions that supports aren’t permitted to enter stadiums across England. Earlier in September, Prime Minister Boris Johnson allowed for supporters to return to British football stadiums in small numbers. COVID-19 cases quickly grew, with a large percentage arriving from children returning to school & bringing the virus back home.

The rise of cases forced Boris Johnson to close-off football stadiums to supporters for a 2nd time. Fears regarding COVID-19 caused the Prime Minister to announce that football fans can’t return to stadiums until the earliest of October 31st. This decision eliminates the critical component of revenue for 72 football clubs.

The Secretary Urges Caution

Great Britain’s Secretary of Culture, Oliver Dowden, spoke on the situation regarding professional football obtaining revenue from supporters. Dowden clarified that the government is continually reviewing COVID-19 cases. After infections reach low numbers, supporters will likely be permitted at 25% occupancy.

Oliver Dowden urged caution to Britain’s population, reflecting that the coronavirus works differently than any viral infection beforehand & that outbreaks will continue if entertainment services are reopened promptly. Oliver Dowden believes that the overwhelming majority of Britain’s population agreed with shutting down stadiums again and that rising cases is more concerning that enjoy professional football.

What happens next is likely the Premier League being forced to financially support the lower-bracket clubs for 2020, 2021, and potentially 2022. An official announcement won’t probably come for weeks.