The EFL has moved to calm speculation about what will happen to the remaining fixtures of the current season due to the Coronavirus outbreak, with ELF chair Rick Parry calling for ‘cool heads and calm reflection’.
Last week the league suspended all matches until at least April 3, due to the spread of the disease, which saw Luton’s fixtures against Preston North End, Swansea City and Leeds United get postponed.
With no elite football at all in the country, after the Premier League also halted matches, speculation was rife about how the unprecedented situation should be dealt with, with many expecting that games are unlikely to resume on April, when Luton are due to host Reading.
Hatters chief executive has called for games to be played behind closed doors, while West Ham United chairwoman Karen Brady wants the season to be declared null and void.
No decisions are set to be made about the season until the governing body’s board meet later this week but they have released a statement, saying: ‘The health and well-being of EFL staff, players, Club employees and supporters is of paramount importance and will be key to the decisions made by football during what is clearly an unprecedented situation facing our game.
‘It is with that in the forefront of the League’s mind that it notes the intense speculation that has appeared across the local, national and international media over the weekend.
‘Whilst the League and its Board understand there is a strong desire from both the media and general public to understand what may happen next, there have, at this current time, been no decisions taken.
‘The League also feels it inappropriate to respond to the many hypothetical solutions being suggested whilst the many unknowns remain. Given the fast paced environment and parameters we are currently working within, it is simply not practical to give a running commentary on what may happen.
‘In the immediate short term we will continue with our contingency planning to deal with the implications the outbreak of Covid-19 has presented the EFL and its Clubs, in addition to liaising with the Government, health authorities and football partners.
‘A further update will be given once the EFL Board has met this week.
‘In the meantime, we wish the football and wider community well and urge all to follow the guidance from the Government provided by Public Health England if presented with any symptoms – https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
‘EFL Chair, Rick Parry, said: “These are indeed challenging times for the League, its Clubs and the game as a whole. However, now is the time for cool heads and calm reflection, rather than speculation as we look to steer our competitions and Clubs through this period of uncertainty.”’
