The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it an unprecedented challenge to the Premier League, EFL and its member clubs.

While plenty remains unclear, reporter Rich Sharpe goes through a few topics being discussed by supporters.

 

HAS THE CLUB REPORTED ANY PLAYERS OR STAFF IN SELF-ISOLATION?

Tony Mowbray confirmed on Friday that all players and staff met with the club doctor where advice was given on what the best steps to take were.

Rovers trained as normal on Friday, with no players currently in self-isolation, with the squad expected to return to training next week after being afforded the weekend off.

Mowbray said: “The team, if there’s no-one showing symptoms, I think we should be coming in training, staying fit and getting ready for the next game, but there’s a balance in that. Anyone with symptoms needs to self-isolate away from the team.”

 

HOW LONG COULD THE DELAY BE?

The current message from the Premier League and EFL is that games won’t resume until at least April 3, when Rovers host Leeds United.

However, that date is becoming increasingly unlikely, with FA chairman Greg Clarke even suggesting that the 2019/20 may not be able to reach a conclusion.

An EFL board meeting is scheduled for next week, when more could become clear, while UEFA has called a meeting of its stakeholders on Tuesday to discuss the implications.

So far, Rovers have seen games against Bristol City, Wigan Athletic and Barnsley postponed, with the March 28/29 having been the next international break.

Rovers still have nine games left of the current season to play, and it seems very possible that if it is to be completed, then it could well run in to May and June, or even beyond.

 

COULD THE SEASON BE NULL AND AVOID?

There have been plenty of theories around this, West Ham CEO Karren Brady even going as far as suggesting that is exactly what should happen.

It would seem a very radical move to do so, and there will clearly be appetite for the season, wherever possible, to reach a natural conclusion.

It’s one Mowbray is certainly in favour of, saying: “I think everyone would like to finish the current campaign. It doesn’t bare thinking about finishing the season without finishing the season.”

But the manager did add he’s thankful he’s not got the decision to make about the next steps, with legal challenges likely should the season be null and void given the season was drawing in to its closing weeks.

 

HOW WILL ROVERS BE AFFECTED FINANCIALLY?

Rovers have nine more games to play,  four of which are at Ewood Park, including the visit of Leeds United.

Leeds are set to bring over 7,500 fans to that game, and with adult tickets charged at £40 for the Category A plus game, it stands to be Rovers’ highest revenue game of the season.

Steve Waggott previously told the Lancashire Telegraph: “With the season tickets and matchday walk-ups you’re looking at round about 23-25 per cent of our income.”

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire estimated that figure for Premier League clubs would stand at around eight per cent, but could be as much as a third for clubs in League One and League Two.

Rovers aren’t one of the 11 clubs, following their respective relegations from the Premier League, in receipt of parachute payments, and remain reliant on the funding of owners Venky’s.

Chief executive Waggott has previously said Rovers are ‘around the threshold of Financial Fair Play’, but they won’t be alone in feeling the pinch of no matchday revenue for the immediate future, with the club having hoped for a spike in revenue with the introduction of a ‘Final Four’ ticket offer for the remaining Ewood matches.

 

WHAT OTHER EVENTS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED?

Rovers Under-23, Under-18s and Ladies fixtures, as well as the three first-team matches mentioned, have also been postponed.

The Under-23s were due to play Chelsea at Ewood Park on Monday 16, but that along with three Ladies fixtures, have also been shelved.

The Under-18s earlier this month reached the last four of the FA Youth Cup, following an impressive 4-1 win over Arsenal, and are due to face Manchester City in the semi-finals. That tie was due to be played before March 21, though a date hadn’t been set, but will now be pushed back.

Chris Samba was also due to be the subject of a Q&A evening on Friday night in the Premier Suite at Ewood Park, the big defender back at the club where he made 187 appearances in a four-and-a-half year stay.

Rovers say ‘all tickets purchased, both VIP and general admission, will be honoured for the rearranged date’.

The club have also suspended player appearances, commercial activities, training ground visits and fan meetings, as well as its Academy programme and Community Trust initiatives that were scheduled for Ewood Park.

 

WILL REFUNDS ON TICKETS ALREADY BE OFFERED?

Rovers have said ‘all tickets previously purchased for the following postponed fixtures will still be valid for the rearranged dates’, for the games against Bristol City, Wigan and Barnsley.

However, the club have confirmed that any fans unable to attend on the rearranged dates, should the games go ahead, then refunds would be offered.

The club have advised fans to contact the ticket office on 01254 372000 for all ticket-related enquiries.

 

WHAT ABOUT PLAYER CONTRACTS?

Another interesting point should the season be extended in to June and July, and likely to become a big issue should that be the case.

Rovers, like all clubs, have players entering the final months of their current deals.

Contracts generally run until June 30, with players often paid a further month beyond that, but are then free to leave on a free transfer should a new deal be agreed.

If the season is to be extended in to the summer months then it would throw up so many questions for those players unsure over their longer-term futures, and with so many clubs not knowing what division they could be playing in next season, it confuses the situation yet still.