Premier League clubs have been told they could have to repay an estimated £340m which could even rise further to domestic and international broadcasters – even if the season resumes behind closed doors.
The refund has been requested as matches are not taking place as expected – both because they will be played without fans and at different times to originally scheduled.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters had previously predicted a loss of “at least £1bn” if the Premier League failed to complete the 2019-20 season.
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“We were able to update our clubs today on our situation with broadcasters, which is obviously confidential. Whatever happens, there’s going to be a 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. But in terms of putting an estimate on it, I don’t want to do that today” Masters said on Monday.
The Premier League says it has listened to the objections of some clubs to the use of neutral grounds if the season resumes, and will support them in putting those views to the authorities.
Masters said the organization was in “ongoing dialogue” with the government, police, and ground safety officials.
“Everybody would prefer to play at home and away if at all possible, and it’s clear to see some clubs feel more strongly about that than others,” he said after a shareholders’ meeting.
He said clubs had argued against using neutral grounds because fans could be trusted not to gather in large numbers at their stadiums.
“I think some of our clubs would argue that in relation to policing their own fans that they have a good relationship with them,” Masters said.
“They can encourage their own fans not to turn up outside their home venues while they’re playing behind closed doors, and they’re in a better position to control that, but it’s not a matter of convincing – this has to be a decision that’s come to mutually.”
He said, “a really strong collective will to complete the season remains” but admitted “curtailment” of the season was discussed for the first time on Monday.
Two weeks ago clubs were told neutral stadiums were the only way the season could be completed because authorities were concerned about fans congregating outside home grounds and breaching social distancing rules.
A significant majority of the clubs are understood to be opposed to the proposal, with Watford, Aston Villa, and Brighton coming out publicly against it.
Those clubs now want the chance to show they can deliver home and away matches safely, and league bosses are behind them.
“Since COVID became an issue we’ve been talking to the authorities about the conditions in which we could get the Premier League back up and running and taking all that advice on board, but it is an ongoing dialogue,” said Masters, speaking for the first time since the season was suspended.
“But all must be cognizant of what authorities are telling us, and we’ll continue with that consultation.”
The government is understood to have “open ears” regarding neutral venues and is prepared to discuss the matter. However, a final decision is likely to rest with the police and ground safety officials, who have to grant licenses to venues.
Last week the head of the UK’s football policing unit, deputy chief constable Mark Roberts, said clubs opposed to neutral grounds should “get a grip”..
