Cancelling the season because of the coronavirus outbreak could be "disastrous" for some English Football League clubs' finances, says Rochdale chief executive David Bottomley, reports BBC. EFL matches have been suspended until 3 April at the earliest. But there are fears that fixtures may not be able to be fulfilled.
"It's very worrying for any industry that relies on people paying to come and watch it for the majority of its income," said Bottomley. Rochdale have twice been drawn against Premier League opposition in cup competitions this season and also sold teenager Luke Matheson to Wolves for a substantial fee in January.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Bottomley said: "We're looking at a big impact on our finances in March. We're fortunate as a club that, because of things that have happened recently like the sale of a player, we can afford to get through the next few days without playing three games of football.
"But we need that income at some stage. "If they cancelled the season and said 'no more football' that would have a disastrous effect on our finances because we have got six more [home] games to come.
"I would fear for a lot of clubs who are probably living very hand-to-mouth and rely on gate receipts." Before confirmation from the Premier League and EFL that elite football would be postponed for the foreseeable future, Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin warned that a lack of gate receipts could be "devastating" for some clubs.
Bottomley said lots of clubs would now be consulting the EFL because they were unable to access business interruption insurance. "I have a lot of sympathy with the EFL because they are reacting to the situation with information from the government and on a worldwide basis, and every few hours we are getting updates," he added.
"The EFL is probably being bombarded with emails from 71 clubs asking how much money they have in reserve and 'what are you going to do to compensate clubs?' "At the same time, the EFL is probably bombarding the sports minister."
League One Bolton began the season with a 12-point deduction after going into administration, but last season Blackpool avoided a points penalty despite going into receivership.
That came after an owner dispute, and subsequent court case, rather than financial mismanagement specifically. The vast majority of EFL clubs released statements on Friday supporting the announcement to postpone matches in the top four divisions.
