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Leagues face Coronavirus dilemmas

Both the EFL and the Premier League are meeting this morning to consider their response to the Coronavirus crisis. Reports are circulating that the EFL may suspend matches for three weeks. In the Premier League, Arsenal and Chelsea will not be able to carry out their forthcoming fixtures.

The expert view appears to be that transmission is relatively unlikely in a large outdoor gathering like a football match, although travel by public transport to the match could be an issue. Gatherings of more than 500 have been banned in Scotland from Monday because of the demands they place on emergency services.

There has been concern that fans could gather outside stadiums where games were being played behind closed doors as happened at Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League game this week. It would be difficult to stop Liverpool fans congregating outside Anfield if their team was winning the title inside the stadium.

La Liga postponed its competition yesterday after Real Madrid players were placed in quarantine. Italy's Serie has been suspended, while games in the Bundesliga and France's Ligue One are being played in front of empty stadiums.

Premier League clubs made £720m in annual match day sales last season according to Deloitte. Most Premier League clubs have insurance policies against loss of ticketing income.

The Premier League has so far been resistant to calls for live free screening of matches that kick off at the traditional time of 3pm on Saturdays. Sky and BT Sport pay more than £1.3bn each year to be live broadcasters with each match costing up to £9m.

Sky could broadcast free to air using its Freeview Pick and Challenge channels. BT could broadcast over its app or on YouTube.

Cancellation of the Premier League season would lead to substantial financial and legal issues about relegation and Champions League qualifications. 14 out of 20 teams would have to vote in favour of any changes to the rule book. One suggestion is that if Uefa postpones the Euro 2020 competition until next year, as seems likely, the Premier League fixtures could be completed in early summer.

How non-league matches would be affected is unclear, but many attract crowds of more than 500 if that is the criterion. Cash flow problems for non-league clubs could be severe.

Some of the many legal issues raised are discussed here by Brabners: Are clubs prepared?

The Premier League, the EFL and the two women's leagues have agreed to suspend all football, including Academy matches, until at least April 3rd: EFL statement

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