Walsall return date decision is delayed
A decision on the English Football League restart date for the 2020/21 season has been delayed until later this month.
EFL clubs were hopeful that a date would be confirmed by the end of this week after the league board met on Wednesday with the outcome of club surveys detailing their start date preferences.
Clubs were last week provided with surveys giving them the opportunity to elect either August 29 or September 12 as a preferred start date for the 2020/21 campaign.
It is unclear which way Walsall voted, however chairman Leigh Pomlett previously stated that the club were operating on a ‘working assumption’ that football would return in mid-September.
Now, the outcome has been delayed until July 24 due to the Premier League putting back their decision on next season.
The EFL are understood to be awaiting a fixed date from top-flight organisers before committing to their date. Both governing bodies must work together to ensure schedules align, with the Carabao Cup one factor in that.
Many clubs are expected to be in favour of a September 12 restart so that they can continue to take advantage of the government’s job retention furlough scheme.
An earlier restart date would require players and staff off furlough earlier and the loss of financial assistance at a time when all businesses nationwide are feeling the financial strain of Covid-19.
Delaying next season’s launch also allows league bosses more time to work on the prospect of supporters being allowed into stadia at a reduced capacity.
League One and Two clubs are hopeful of some fan presence as gate receipts are a vital income stream.
