FA chief reveals update on fans returning to games and warns Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire could be affected by £300m funding cut

FA chairman Greg Clarke has revealed the organisation's budget could be cut by as much as £300million over the next four years, and has given a bleak assessment on when fans will finally return to football stadiums
FA Chairman Greg Clarke has issued a stark warning over budget cuts. Photo: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images.FA Chairman Greg Clarke has issued a stark warning over budget cuts. Photo: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images.
FA Chairman Greg Clarke has issued a stark warning over budget cuts. Photo: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep the 2019/20 football season in a state of stasis, the severe financial implications of lost revenue have been felt across the board, leading the governing body to cut this year's budget by £75million - a measure which could be extended for a further three seasons "in a worst case scenario."

This would likely have an effect on grassroots football in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire which relies on FA funding.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Writing to all members of the FA council, Clarke wrote: "Whilst we would all like to see football return in the coming weeks, the health of our communities and the protection of the NHS must remain our priority and we will continue to be led by Government advice as we work together with stakeholders from across the game to assess any potential restart.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant financial impact on all sectors of society and sadly football is one of many sports to have been affected as a consequence.

"I want to assure you that we are committed to supporting the game as a whole through this crisis; especially the lower echelons, where the impact has been felt most acutely."

"Having worked through the numbers with Mark (Bullingham) and the executive team, the Board has agreed that a sensible cut to the annual budget is £75m. In a worst-case scenario, this would be necessary for the next four years to offset a £300m deficit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Clearly that will impact many of our plans as every area of the game will be touched and projects that we all value will be affected. There is no other way and I ask for all of you to help us to build this revised plan."

The chairman also addressed the matter of when supporters could be allowed to attend matches again, amid speculation that the entire 2020/21 season could be played behind-closed-doors - a measure which could cause major financial issues for clubs at all levels of the game.

Clarke wrote: "Our executive team has been building out different scenarios that we might potentially face as a result of the pandemic.

"The reality is that we just don’t know how things are going to pan out, but with social distancing in place for some time to come we do face substantial changes to the whole football ecosystem.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"For example it’s hard to foresee crowds of fans – who are the lifeblood of the game – returning to matches any time soon."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you