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      Premier League clubs facing a £1.25BN black hole with latest Government clampdown adding to nightmare

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      PREM clubs have been warned they are staring at a £1.25BILLION financial black hole.
      And League chief Richard Masters admitted things will get even worse if, as now expected, turnstiles cannot be opened at all next month.

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      Premier League sides have been told they face a £1.25billion financial black hole after locking out fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Government is set to plunge cash-strapped EFL clubs into further chaos by cutting capacities at planned test events to 1,000.
      Hopes that Prem gates would be partially opened to allow up to 25 per cent of fans inside grounds next month also seem doomed as the battle to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 intensifies.
      And while the season will start as planned on Saturday, Masters admitted: “Our clubs lost £700million in 2019-20 and that creates significant difficulties.
      “If we can only get 25 per cent of fans in this season it would cost another £547m.

      “The longer that fans are outside the stadium in numbers, the more significant the financial impact on clubs. 
      “There is perhaps a perception that the Premier League can perpetually stage financial difficulties – but that isn’t the case.”
      Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United had all hoped to run test events – involving up to 12,000 fans at Old Trafford – in their opening home games of the campaign this month.
      Those plans have been effectively scrapped in the wake of the latest clampdown but Masters made what amounted to a plea to the Government.

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      Boris Johnson has announced crowd-cutting measures to avoid a second lockdownCredit: Getty – Pool

      He added: “The average Premier League match contributes £20m to the national and local economy. 
      “We want to play our part in bringing the economy back and keeping the Premier League model working.
      “September was always going to be a difficult month and we are in the hands of the Government but we are ready, willing and able to do what is required to get fans back.
      “We would be happy to look at health passports and testing prior to entry, plus additional hygiene measures in stadiums to deal with transmission, so we can move swiftly beyond the current guidelines and towards full capacity.”
      Masters’ warning came just 24 hours after Juventus president Andrea Agnelli revealed European clubs face a collective bill of £3.6bn from the first wave of the pandemic, with further impacts to come.
      But EFL clubs rely even more than the Prem on gate receipts to stay solvent and with the League Two trial at Cambridge on Saturday now reduced to allowing 1,000 fans rather than the planned 2,500, the situation is even more parlous.
      Masters said the Prem was “in discussions” with the EFL but declined to be drawn over a potential funding lifeline, referring back to the £200m forwarded in the summer.
      He said: “Football has historically sustained itself.
      “Clearly, we want football to thrive at every level, but we have our own problems to deal with as well.”

      Premier League fans return in doubt with 1,000 people limits and bans in coronavirus hotspot areas from October 1 More

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      Premier League fans return in doubt with 1,000 people limits & bans in coronavirus hotspot areas from October 1

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      FOOTBALL fans’ hopes of returning to stadiums next month have been dashed due to the spike in Covid cases. 
      Clubs were due to let in a quarter of their stadium’s capacity from October 1 under plans to socially distance fans. 
      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

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      Football fans have seen their hopes dashed as Downing Street puts the brakes onCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Boris Johnson said venue pilots would be reduced to 1,000 peopleCredit: PA:Press Association
      But Downing Street has put the plans on hold after government scientists deemed the prevalence of the virus was too high to let fans back so soon. 
      Some of the current sporting events that are carrying out pilots for the return of fans will still go ahead – such as horse racing, cricket and some football games. 
      However crowds for the pilot games will be capped at 1,000, Boris Johnson announced today.

      The move delivers a major blow for millions of fans ahead of the start of the 2020/21 football season, which starts this weekend.
      Mr Johnson said the Government will “revise plans to pilot larger audiences later this month” and they will review intention to allow audiences back to stadiums.
      However he stressed “it doesn’t mean we will scrap it entirely”, promising more information soon.
      In his first No10 press conference since July the PM warned Brits face new £100 fines if they meet in groups of more than six indoors or out.

      The strict rules apply from Monday to gatherings in homes, pubs and restaurants — and could still be in force at Christmas.
      Currently, people only face fines for gathering in groups of more than 30. And they can only legally meet inside with one other household.

      ⚠️ Follow our live blog on Boris Johnson’s speech today for the very latest news & updates
      But that will be changed so any of the six can be from different households, in an attempt to bring rules in line with outdoor gatherings.
      The PM also discussed a border crackdown, with new forms to fill out and extra checks on people who should be quarantining after returning from countries not in the travel corridor.
      And he revealed a new law will insist Brits must give test and trace details to pubs and restaurants.
      He said he is “sorry” that two whole households will no longer be able to meet if their total exceeds six people.
      Mr Johnson said: “This rule of six will of course throw up difficult cases, for example two whole households will no longer be able to meet if they would together exceed the limit of six people and I’m sorry about that, and I wish that we did not have to take this step.
      “But as your Prime Minister, I must do what is necessary to stop the spread of the virus and to save lives. And of course we will keep the rule of six under constant review and only keep it in place as long as is necessary.”
      In data shared today older people and younger children were not seeing a huge rise in cases, but people aged 30-29 were shown to have a rapid increase.
      England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said it was a “real phenomenon” in which we are seeing real cases going up – with individual testing matching the infection rise.
      CASE RISE FEARS
      There are fears curfews could come in for other areas under local lockdown, after Bolton saw pubs and restaurants only allowed to open within certain hours.
      Young people have been blamed for the rise in coronations cases, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock saying people aged under 25 living in some of the country’s richest areas have been pinpointed.
      When asked if people were not following the rules he added: “We certainly see cases where they are not, and then we take action.”  
      And many new cases are often linked, he said – adding that in Bolton, an outbreak was tied to a single pub which has been asked to close.
      “We are seeing problems with social distancing. The rise in cases is largely among younger people, under 25s, especially between 17 and 21,” he said.
      It comes after police demanded greater powers to fine young Covid flouters — and ahead of tens of thousands returning to university next week.

      The PM said the changes would make it simpler for the public to understand.
      The drastic move comes after alarming figures revealed there were almost 2,500 new cases in the UK yesterday — following two straight days of 3,000 new infections.
      The numbers were the highest since May and took the overall total of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK to 350,000-plus. More

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      Premier League confirm three new coronavirus cases just five days before start of 2020/21 season

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      THE Premier League have confirmed three people have tested positive for coronavirus in its first round of testing ahead of the new season.
      The top-flight kicks-off this weekend but at least three individuals will not be involved following the latest tests.

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      Three people have returned positive results in the latest round of Premier League testing
      A statement confirmed: “The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 31 August and Sunday 6 September, 1,605 players and Club staff were tested for Covid-19.
      “Of these, there were three new positive tests.
      “Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days.”
      The news comes just hours after Manchester City confirmed two of their players had tested positive.

      Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte were the stars to return the positive tests.
      Both are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK government protocol. 
      Neither Mahrez or Laporte are displaying symptoms of the virus.
      A Man City statement said: “Everyone at the club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season.”

      City will skip the opening weekend of action after being given extra time off due to their Champions League exertions last month.
      They begin their campaign away to Wolves on September 21.
      City will play just two Premier League matches this month, with the trip to Molineux followed by a home clash with Leicester.

      Man City confirm Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte test positive for coronavirus and been forced to self-isolate More

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      Premier League clubs to be forced into playing matches even if they suffer Covid-19 outbreak… and have just 14 men

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will reportedly be forced to play matches even if teams are struck by a coronavirus outbreak in their squads.
      Top-flight chiefs are desperate for the 2020-21 campaign to not overrun beyond May 23 as they look to avoid clashes with the European Championship.

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      Liverpool go into the 2020-21 Premier League season as defending championsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      According to the Daily Mail, Premier League clubs have been told that requests for postponements due to Covid-19 will be rejected.
      The only way that games will be rescheduled is if teams are unable to name less than 14 players in their matchday squad.
      It has been stated that the Premier League have advised clubs to promote any Under-21 players to the senior squad if they have played at least a minute of first-team football.
      And the Premier League will also refuse any proposals to postpone fixtures if players have breached coronavirus protocols.

      They will also reject postponements if players are self-isolating following an overseas trip.
      Should any team refuse to play a game, then an independent disciplinary panel will hear the case.
      This would result in either warnings or fines, and in cases for repeat offenders, points will be taken off.
      The Premier League rules are more lenient than Uefa, who insisted Champions League and Europa League games would go on over the summer even if clubs could only field 13 players.

      And if they could not fill a 13-man squad, then clubs would automatically forfeit the match.
      Manchester City have been rocked by the news that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have both tested positive for Covid-19.
      They are the latest Premier League stars to contract the deadly virus after Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.

      Man City confirm Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte test positive for coronavirus and been forced to self-isolate More

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      EFL clubs beg Premier League to save them from ruin after coronavirus nightmare

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      EFL clubs have pleaded with the Premier League to save English football from collapse.
      Despite months of talks, the top flight is yet to agree a package of further financial help for lower league sides facing bankruptcy because of Covid-19.

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      EFL clubs are urging the Premier League to save teams in their divisions at risk of collapse Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      And EFL clubs are warning that the end of Government furlough arrangements after October, combined with huge falls in matchday income even when fans return, will bring the crisis to a head.
      The Premier League has already forwarded its usual solidarity payments but that money will not last most clubs very far into the autumn.
      Phil Wallace, owner and chairman of League Two Stevenage, said: “All we’re doing is kicking the can down the road. Eventually, you run out of road.

      “Without a bailout, I don’t see what the outcome can be other than clubs going into bankruptcy.”

      Even if some fans are allowed back into Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium from October, it’s likely that the maximum crowd will be 1,500 – combined to last season’s average of 3,500.
      That would mean a fall in income of £30,000 to £40,0000 per home game, even before loss of secondary spend at food and drink outlets and other revenue streams was taken into account.
      Simon Hallett, owner of League One Plymouth, recognises that a number of Premier League clubs are also facing significant financial challenges.
      But Hallett said: “Eventually the elastic snaps and clubs run out of cash.

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      Financial aid packages for lower league sides are yet to be agreed on by football chiefsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      “At that point, if there are still no fans, it’s inevitable some will be very close to going bust.
      “It’s about the preservation of the English football pyramid. I don’t want to get misty-eyed and romantic about it.
      “But the great glory, I think, of English football is the football pyramid.
      “You can still have the dream that you start off playing in the park with a pub team and you end up in the Football League.
      “If you want to preserve that, some kind of financial help to ease us over this crisis is going to be necessary.”

      It’s a big discussion. But clubs have got to be there to have that discussion. Come 2021, they might not be.
      Phil Wallace

      Stevenage and Plymouth are fortunate that they have multimillionaire benefactors like Wallace and Hallett to support them – for now at least.
      But many other clubs will be teetering on the brink of extinction unless something changes soon.
      Wallace, like Hallett, accepts that lower league clubs are often guilty of financial mismanagement.
      But he insists English football’s proud tradition of having 92 or more professional clubs can be preserved and a wider discussion is needed about the distribution of money across the game.
      Wallace said: “Why can’t we sustain this number of clubs?
      “It’s important to have a healthy pyramid, but you have to balance that and walk that line between clubs wasting money, overspending and doing all the stupid things that clubs do.
      “It’s not as easy as I’m going to give you money. You have to convince me that there’s a good working model that can be adopted.

      “If we change things, and redistribute in a fairer way, it’s not wasted.
      “It’s a big discussion. But clubs have got to be there to have that discussion.
      “Come 2021, they might not be.”

      English football ‘will cease to exist as we know it’ due to coronavirus crisis, warns Huddersfield owner More

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      Premier League urged to rethink plan to screen only 220 live matches on TV next season

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      MINISTERS want the Premier League to rethink its plan to screen only 220 matches live on TV next season.
      The other 160 will not be shown, despite curbs on fans attending games.

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      MPs want the Premier League to rethink its plan to screen only 220 matches live on TV next season, given curbs on fans attending stadiaCredit: AFP or licensors
      All 92 matches after last season re­started in June went out live on TV.
      The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “Our focus is to get fans back in stadia as quickly as possible.
      “It is for the Premier League and its broadcast partners to come to an agreement on screening matches.
      “However, we urge them to follow the spirit of Project Restart, listen to fans and consider what can be achieved.”

      Watch Mourinho tell Sky Sports reporter to ‘f*** off’ after he says Tottenham boss is ‘past his best’ in All or Nothing
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Neymar, Di Maria and Paredes ‘test positive for coronavirus’ as PSG confirm three cases just eight days before season

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      NEYMAR has tested positive for Covid-19 alongside Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes, according to reports.
      L’Equipe reports they are the three unnamed players the club revealed had contracted the virus today.

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      Neymar has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 after holidaying in Ibiza

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      Angel Di Maria has tested positive for coronavirus, according to reportsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Leandro Paredes reportedly has contracted Covid-19 alongside his PSG team-matesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Neymar and Paredes have been holidaying on the party island Ibiza and the news plunges the club in crisis just eight days out from their first game of the season.
      The French champs have had an extended rest after they made it to the Champions League final in Lisbon.
      The Ligue 1 season started on August 21 but PSG are not due to play until they travel to Lens on Thursday September 10.

      But that fixture could now be in jeopardy, with players to be tested regularly in the coming days.

      The Premier League has also been rocked by a surge of Covid-19 cases thought to be related to players jetting off on holiday in the short break between seasons.
      The English top flight was hit by 14 mystery cases at 12 pre-season camps.
      And the start of the 2020-21 season was thrown further into doubt as Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Spurs ace Tanguy Ndombele tested positive for the virus.
      Eight Chelsea players were also forced to stay home after either testing positive or having been in close contact with those who have caught coronavirus.

      Trois joueurs du @PSG_inside sont confirmés positifs au test Sars CoV2 et sont soumis au protocole sanitaire approprié.L’ensemble des joueurs et du staff continueront à réaliser des tests pendant les prochains jours.
      — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) September 2, 2020

      England internationals Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and American star Christian Pulisic were all house-bound.
      And Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Emerson and Michy Batshuayi also faced a period of self-isolation.
      Most recently, Wolves winger Adama Traore had to pull out of Spain duty after a positive test result scuppered his chance of a first cap.

      Distraught Neymar has to be persuaded to receive runners-up medal as Ferdinand slams PSG star for lack of respect More

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      Argentina star Sergio Lopez fined £1,000 for KISSING match ball in huge breach of strict coronavirus rules

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      ARGENTINE footballer Sergio Lopez has been fined £1,000 … for KISSING the ball during a match.
      The midfielder, 31, plays for Ecuador top-flight club SD Aucas.

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      SD Aucas Sergio Lopez was fined £1,000 for KISSING the ball after his side’s victory over Macara
      He helped the Quito side to a 1-0 win over rivals Macara last Friday.
      However Lopez broke strict local anti-coronavirus rules when picking up the ball and giving it a smacker to celebrate the victory.
      Ecuador’s FA quickly cracked down on the errant player and fined him 1,200 dollars – the equivalent of a grand.

      Five other footballers were previously fined similar sums for swapping shirts after matches.

      Covid-19 has ravaged the South American country, accounting for 6,600 deaths.
      It is suspected to be the cause of a further 3,700 fatalities.
      Over 114,000 cases of the pandemic have been reported in the nation of 17 million people.

      Two Ecuadorian football clubs have also been fined.

      Liga de Portoviejo were sanctioned for failing to provide a first-aid kit at a match.
      Meanwhile the FA punished Guayaquil-based Barcelona for not providing hand sanitiser. More