LONDON: The Premier League on Tuesday said that the clubs suffered £700 million in losses last season due to the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them. Last season, Premier League clubs suffered £700 million in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than £100 million per month. This is starting to have a devastating impact on clubs and their communities.” the league stated.
“The Premier League notes the government’s announcement today (Tuesday) and while the health of the nation must remain everyone’s priority, we are disappointed that the safe return of supporters to matches has been postponed.”
The league’s comments came after the British government declared it was putting plans for the return of fans to the stadiums on hold due to a surge in coronavirus cases. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson predicted that new government restrictions could be in place for the next six months.
“While there is a current pause in a date for fans returning to sports venues, the Premier League and our clubs will not slow down in our preparations for providing safe, bio-secure environments. We will continue to work with government to bring supporters safely back into grounds as soon as possible,” the league further stated.
“The Premier League is certain that, through League-wide guidelines and a code of conduct developed with scientific experts and agreed by the government’s Sports Grounds Safety Authority, fans in stadiums will be as safe or even safer than at any other public activity currently permitted.”
It was on September 17 that the Premier League had urged the suthorities to remain committed to the October 1 date for the controlled return of fans to sporting venues. “Taking into account the high safety standards which will be set by the Premier League in conjunction with the relevant public authorities, the league and clubs urge government to remain committed to the 1 October date for the controlled return of fans to sporting venues,” it had said then.
