Premier League clubs face having to pay a huge refund to broadcasters even if they manage to complete the coronavirus-disrupted season behind closed doors.
Broadcasters would
be reimbursed for matches not being played as scheduled and the lack of
atmosphere in empty stadiums is also a factor.
The BBC reported
the bill facing the English top-flight, which continued talks on “Project
Restart” on Monday, could be as high as £340 million ($420 million).
“We were able to
update our clubs today on our situation with broadcasters, which is obviously
confidential,” said Premier League CEO Richard Masters.
“Whatever happens,
there’s going to be significant loss of revenue for clubs. That is inevitable.
“We were able to
paint a picture today about what would happen in various scenarios, playing out
the season and not playing out the season, to allow them to have a picture of
that as we stand in the early part of May.”
The rebate to
broadcasters would surge to an estimated £760 million if the season cannot be
completed. Masters has previously warned of a £1 billion loss once the absence
of gate receipts is taken into account.
For the first time
on Monday, the 20 Premier League clubs discussed models that may have to be
used to decide final standings if it is not deemed safe to resume.
New government
guidelines have paved the way for elite sport to return behind closed doors in
England from June 1.
Player fears
However, England
internationals Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose are the two latest high-profile
players to raise their concerns over a return to contact sport when the rest of
society is being advised to follow social-distancing guidelines.
“The moment we do
go back it just needs to be a moment where it’s not just for footballing
reasons, it’s safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff,
referees,” Sterling told his YouTube channel.
“(I am) not scared,
but reserved and thinking what the worst outcome could be.
“I’ve had friends
whose grandma has passed away, I’ve had family members as well that have passed
away. You’ve got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you.”
British Prime
Minister Boris Johnson said in parliament on Monday that the return of sport on
TV would “provide a much-needed boost to national morale.”
However, a YouGov
poll revealed that 73 percent of 2,000 people surveyed said the return of the
Premier League and English Football League would not lift their spirits.
Britain has been
one of the worst-hit countries in the global pandemic, with the government
officially recording more than 32,000 deaths from COVID-19.
“People’s lives are
at risk,” Rose, who is on loan at Newcastle from Tottenham, told an Instagram
live.
“Football shouldn’t
even be spoken about coming back until the numbers have dropped massively.”
The Premier League
are due to meet unions for players and managers later this week to discuss
protocols for a return to group training.
“Safety comes
first. We must listen to government, the authorities and the medical experts
and continue to follow their advice,” added Masters.
“That is exactly
what we are doing. We are getting ourselves in the best position to resume the
season, but only when the conditions are right.”