Coronavirus could see 60 football clubs go out of business, Championship owner fears
English professional football has been suspended since March
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Up to 60 English lower league football clubs could go out of business if the sport fails to plan for the impact of Covid-19 beyond the current season.
English professional football has been suspended since March.
Championship clubs are due to return to training in small groups on Monday, with hopes of completing the season behind closed doors.
“The problem is not whether we finish (the) season or not, it is what happens after that,” Huddersfield Town owner Phil Hodgkinson told the BBC.
“If we don’t come to an agreement there will be no football pyramid.
“There are clubs I know of that are only still trading because they are deferring wages and (tax) and other creditors. They will need paying at some point.”
Hodgkinson said the worst case scenario would be playing next season without fans allowed to attend matches, leaving many clubs without their major source of income.
Clubs are already facing significant expenditure for Covid-19 testing.
“There is an absolutely real, stark probability that if something isn’t agreed now within football to ensure all clubs can pay their bills and get through to the point where income is resumed, you will be looking at 50 or 60 clubs ceasing to exist,” said Hodgkinson.
He suggested players’ wages needed to be reduced by 30 to 50% at every level until crowds could return, and accused some people in the game of “just sticking their heads in the sand.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments