SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 5 hrs 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Sports minister defends decision to pause return of fans to sports venues

:Headline: Sports minister defends decision to pause return of fans to sports venues: ID:416541: from db_amp
National League clubs have received an offer of financial aid from the Government which will help them start the season this weekend.

The Government would like to see a return of spectator sports "as soon as possible", but tackling rising infection rates mean efforts are paused, a digital, culture, media and sport minister has said.

National League clubs have received an offer of financial aid from the Government which will help them start the season this weekend.

The future of the three leagues – the National League, the National League North and the National League South – had been in doubt after plans to allow spectators into grounds were shelved last week.

Premier League clubs are currently under pressure to help provide a bail-out package for those below them in the football pyramid whose very existence is under threat following last week's decision to keep turnstiles, which were due to re-open on a limited basis from October 1, closed.

Responding to an urgent Question in the House of Commons tabled by Conservative MP Tracey Crouch on government support for amateur and professional sport, sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: "We all want our fans back in stadia as soon as possible. Sport without fans is poorer in so many ways.

"We did trial the return of fans with 12 successful pilot events, however rising infection rates across the country meant that the Government had to act and we could not proceed on October 1 as planned.

"We have to contain the virus and given the backdrop of rising infection rates we had to press the pause button."

“It is perfectly fair and reasonable that those with the broadest shoulders carry the biggest burden.”
- Minister for Sport Nigel Huddleston

Minister for Sport Huddleston said the Government support must go to "those most in need" and the implication of the financial problems stretched "way beyond football".

There had been "constructive conversations" with the Premier League and EFL, Huddleston added.

"The do recognise their responsibility," he said. "They are at the top of the pyramid and it is perfectly fair and reasonable that those with the broadest shoulders carry the biggest burden.

"They accept that and understand that, and we are working on those details at the moment."

amp_article__416541 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-30 13:13:22:
html db last update - 2020-09-30 13:13:22 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Nigel Huddleston

Click here for more stories about Brighton & Hove Albion

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .