Premier League: MPs call on government, EFL and FA to ‘save professional football as we know it’

Football in the UK has been suspended indefinitely in the wake of the global pandemic with clubs counting the financial cost

Eighteen Members of Parliament and two former Football Association chairmen have written to the government, the FA and the English Football League warning they must act to “save professional football in this country as we know it” in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Football in the UK has been suspended indefinitely in the wake of the global pandemic with clubs counting the financial cost.

The Premier League and Championship are nearing an agreement over a return to the field next month but League Two clubs have already agreed to end the season with immediate effect. League One are still in discussions over how their campaign will be concluded.

The lack of matchday revenue and season ticket sales from games behind closed doors without supporters could see some clubs go to the wall.

Former chair of the Digital, Cultute, Media and Sport Select Committee Damian Collins on Thursday sent a letter to the chairmen of the FA and EFL, Greg Clarke and Rick Parry respectively, as well culture secretary Oliver Dowden calling for urgent action.

“We may only have a few weeks to save professional football in this country as we know it,” the letter reads.

“The shock of the Covid-19 crisis has badly exposed the weak financial position of clubs in the English Football League, many of whom were already on the edge of bankruptcy.

“For clubs in League One and League Two in particular the loss of match day revenue and money from the sale of season tickets is a major blow that some will not be able to survive.”

It added: “There is a great urgency now for an agreement on a rescue package for clubs in distress, and this will require the resources of both the football authorities and the government.

“However, this should also recognise both the short-term requirement for cash and the longer-term need for much greater oversight and financial affairs of the clubs, including the opportunity for more supporters and communities to acquire a stake in them.”