Club threatens to boycott matches if EFL attempts to complete the season

A League One club threatens to boycott matches if the EFL attempts to complete the season, it has been revealed over the weekend.

Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt made the claim with a number of Football League sides against the idea of finishing the 2019/20 campaign due to fears over their players’ safety.

Restarting games after the coronavirus pandemic is a plan that has been talked about in recent weeks.

Chiefs at Premier League clubs reportedly want to play out the rest of the season due to the legal and financial complications it could bring should it not continue.

PL officials voice the idea of putting squads and staff in lockdown hotels for at least 40 days to minimse risk of catching the virus.

But that’s at an estimated cost of £500,000, something lower-league teams can’t do with much lower budgets.

Holt told the Daily Mail: “It will cost us half a million pounds to finish this season, if that’s what the EFL decide they want to do.

“I would rather use that money on rebuilding for next season instead of spending three more months now watching it die.

“If it is a choice for us between playing dead rubber fixtures or surviving, we will be surviving.

“The main risk for Accrington Stanley is for the EFL to force us to spend money we have not got on games that do not matter to us.

“I hope it doesn’t come to this but maybe it will get to the point where we are losing points because we have not fielded a team. Even if that gets us relegated, my job is to make sure Accrington Stanley stays afloat.”

EFL chairman Rick Parry has confirmed matches will almost certainly be played behind closed doors whenever they can resume their season again.

All matches will be televised or available on iFollow for supporters to watch, as they will be banned from entering stadiums, again to minimalise the risk of spreading.

Fans reacted after reading that the club threatens to boycott matches if EFL attempts to complete the season…

How can u end the current season?What’s the obsession with starting the new season? This season needs to be completed even if it takes 6 months to complete. Next season is irrelevant until the current season is completed…..from a cov fan 5 points clear in league 1!! #PUSB ?⚽️

— Ted Lambert (@awarebear85) April 19, 2020

Voiding the season to start it again in August still leaves them in same situation!! Next season will be pushed back regardless. so just finish when it’s safe to do so. Even if that means August/September. The world will not end if the season is concluded later in the year.

— Sumeet Bains (@Sumeet_Bains01) April 19, 2020

Why would it be harsh on Sunderland. They are out of play offs and underperforming. It is harsh on the likes of Coventry 5 points clear and Fleetwood who were on 12 game unbeaten run. Also completely unfair that Bolton and Southend who are almost relegated stay up

— Dave Walsh (@catlow10) April 19, 2020

Surely finishing this season, No matter when that is, is the fairest way. Based on when that is, next season can either be shortened or replaced for a cup

Its not fair on teams such as Liverpool to void the season and its not fair on promotion/playoff race sides to end it now.

— Joe Chedzey (@JoeChedzey) April 19, 2020

Finish this season before next one starts. It’s not rocket science, even if a whole years fixtures are lost

— Gary Day (@poshpanther) April 19, 2020

Just start again when safe, behind closed doors. Extend the season and contracts til it’s done. Delay start of next season if necessary as players have had a long break. Places decided, money to where it belongs. Job done

— James Denham (@yamesyp) April 19, 2020

‘Sunderland Til I Die S3’ would be mental.

— MavEffingDalton ???????? (@maverick99sback) April 19, 2020