Some
"difficult decisions" will need to be taken in the midst of the coronavirus
pandemic, the Premier League, EFL and Professional Footballers' Association
have warned.
The organisations met on Friday to discuss the financial impact of the
suspension of the season.
"It was stressed that the thoughts of all three organisations continue to be
with everyone affected by the virus.
"The Premier League, EFL and PFA agreed that difficult decisions will have
to be taken in order to mitigate the economic impact of the current
suspension of professional football in England and agreed to work together
to arrive at shared solutions."
The pinch is already being felt, with Birmingham asking some players to
defer half their pay, while players at Leeds have volunteered for a wage
deferral.
The governing bodies will hold further talks next week to formulate a joint
plan.
Last week the projected restart of the season was put back until April 30,
and that date has not changed.
"The leagues will not recommence until April 30 at the earliest. They will
only do so when it is safe and conditions allow," added the statement.
"Further meetings will take place next week with a view to formulating a
joint plan to deal with the difficult circumstances facing the leagues,
their clubs, players, staff and fans."
Meanwhile, the Football Association released a statement standing firm
behind its announcement that a host of league campaigns across the country
were to be effectively voided given current circumstances.
Results for the 2019-20 season will be expunged for non-league divisions
below the National League North and South, it was announced on Thursday. The
same applies to women's football below the Women's Championship, with no
promotion and relegation, while grassroots football has been brought to a
close for the season.
The news prompted the chairman of South Shields, whose side were 12 points
clear at the top of the Northern Premier Division and all but mathematically
certain of clinching promotion to National League North, to threaten legal
action.
But the governing body tweeted on Friday evening: "The decision taken to end
the 2019/20 season across steps 3-7 of the National League system, the
women's football pyramid and the wider grassroots game was made by committee
representatives for the respective leagues, and was supported by the FA
Board and the FA Women's Board.
"It will now go to the FA Council for ratification. We fully support the
decision they came to during these challenging and unprecedented
circumstances for English football."
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