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Culture secretary Oliver Dowden has called for the Premier League to \u201cstep up to the plate\u201d and provide financial support for EFL clubs through the coronavirus crisis.<\/p>\nCulture secretary Oliver Dowden has called for the Premier League to \u201cstep up to the plate\u201d and provide financial support for EFL clubs through the coronavirus crisis.<\/p>\n
The EFL says its clubs stand to lose \u00a3200million this season without crowds, having already lost \u00a350m last season.<\/p>\n
There are fears that without crowds some EFL clubs will disappear.<\/p>\n
Dowden told Sky News\u2019 Sophy Ridge On Sunday: \u201cWe stand ready to support clubs because they are such an important part of our local community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing we need to look to is the Premier League and I\u2019ve been in contact with them this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all agreed the Premier League needs to step up to the plate and they\u2019re having intensive discussions with the EFL over how they can support those clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been speaking with the Premier League and I was very clear that we expect the Premier League to support the EFL.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dowden, in a separate interview on BBC\u2019s Andrew Marr Show, said: \u201cThe Premier League are working closely with the EFL to see how they can support them. They are having productive conversations and I am hopeful they will reach a deal this week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Governing bodies across a range of sports have spoken out since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday that the planned reintroduction of spectators to sports venues from October 1 had been scrapped due to fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections.<\/p>\n
Dowden said the Premier League will meet on Tuesday to discuss the way forward now that the Government has effectively ruled out any fans attending matches until March.<\/p>\n
In his Sophy Ridge on Sunday interview he added: \u201cThe direction is clear, we understand the Premier League needs to play its part.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in close consultation with them and I\u2019m hopeful they will be able to reach a deal and provide that level of support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if crowds would return by the end of the season, Dowden replied: \u201cI would desperately love that to happen and we keep the situation under constant review.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also investigating the use of new technology, working with the clubs who have done a fantastic job until now.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s all possible of course I would like it to happen, but, in this rapidly moving situation with the virus, we just need to exercise a little bit of caution which is what we\u2019ve done in relation to October 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost people would agree against this backdrop of rapidly rising cases now is not the time to bring back crowds.\u201d<\/p>\n