NOVEMBER | COVER FEATURE
lens ” and expect players to take pay cuts , but that is not an option for the majority of sports : “ The reality is that Rugby League players are not making the type of money that Premiership footballers are , so adjusting a payment model to take into account not hosting crowds isn ' t achievable .”
Shortly before the Government announcement , during the weekend of the 19-20 September , seven English Football League ( EFL ) clubs were permitted to admit spectators into Sky Bet League matches . They included Luton Town versus Derby County and Norwich City V Preston North End .
EFL communications director Mark Rowan says there was enormous enthusiasm among EFL clubs to host the matches : “ A large number of EFL clubs applied to host pilot matches and every club that applied was given Government permission , aside from those that were located in areas where there was a localised lockdown .”
COUNTING THE COST
The loss of spectators this year has had a dramatic impact on EFL finances , with the league ’ s clubs having collectively lost £ 50m of gate income in the 2019 / 2020 season . It is expected a further £ 200m will be lost if crowds are unable to return during the current season .
Says Rowan , “ It has to be recognised that football is facing an impending financial crisis , with the Covid-19 pandemic creating arguably the biggest challenge to the finances
Karen Moorhouse Rugby Football League
Mark Casey PGA European Tour of EFL clubs in their history .”
He says the DCMS had been supportive , with successful pilot events having tested the guidance and shown they can be delivered safely : “ The EFL staged a match with 900 spectators at Cambridge United and all parties were delighted at the club ’ s application of the new guidance .
“ It was particularly notable that the public were very aware of the requirement to act responsibly and were hugely compliant with regards to the new requirements and took instruction from stewards and tannoy announcements throughout .”
Rowan says the return of supporters to stadiums is entirely compatible with the ‘ rule of six ’, and that the guidance already implemented at grounds had followed the principle before the ‘ rule of six ’ existed .
“ It is important to remember that football is one of the most regulated industries in the country when it comes to managing large events , so we believe we can be an exemplar to implementing guidance that allows people to undertake ‘ normal ’ activities , such as attending football matches , and set an example of how to return to a degree of normality safely with social distancing in place .”
The EFL hoped that following the initial pilot phase , where capacity was limited to 1,000 supporters ,
clubs would be able to operate stadia at around 25-35 % of capacity , initially , in order to maintain social distancing in all areas of club grounds .
Prior to the PM ’ s announcement , numerous steps had been taken by the EFL , in line with Sports Grounds Safety Authority ( SGSA ) guidance and in partnership with the DCMS , to ensure crowd safety . Measures taken included issuing ticket holders with a Code of Conduct to provide guidance around all matchday safety requirements .
At Rugby Football League venues numerous measures had also been implemented to make sure stadiums were biosecure . Moorhouse says that when broadcast teams of up to 80 are included , the behind-closed-doors matches involve teams of more than 200 people working within the venues .
“ It is all-encompassing : making sure you maximise social distancing , and if there are any situations in which you can ’ t do that it is about making sure there are appropriate mitigations in place . We run an accreditation system to make sure only the right people are getting in , operate one-way systems throughout the stadia , have lots of signage and additional sanitisation measures .
“ Education is also key , so before anyone can enter the stadium they have to have completed an education module . They must also complete a
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