MX23RW : Sunday, May 31 14:06:31| >> :600:3537534:3537534:

Leyton Orient chief against cancelling remainder of League Two season

Leyton Orient chief against cancelling remainder of League Two season
© Reuters
EFL clubs are are expected to discuss plans to resolve the League Two season on Tuesday.

Leyton Orient chief executive Danny Macklin thinks cancelling the remainder of the League Two season would be a "knee-jerk reaction".

Football League clubs are scheduled to hold a conference call on Tuesday and plans for the resolution of the season are expected to be discussed, with reports suggesting some League Two clubs are ready to pull the plug on the campaign.

The EFL told its member clubs earlier this month to prepare for the season to be completed in 56 days behind closed doors once it was deemed safe for a restart.

That would lead to big financial implications, with the complete loss of matchday income while costs continue to rise.

A meeting of Football League clubs is due to take place on Tuesday
A meeting of Football League clubs is due to take place on Tuesday (Nigel French/PA)

Despite that, Orient are not one of the League Two clubs desperate to bring the season to an end.

"It is not something we as a club would support at the moment," Macklin told the PA news agency.

"For me a decision on that doesn't need to be made at this stage and the financial repercussions of the games not taking place. Potential legal challenges have got to be at the forefront of the mind and right now our focus is looking at scenarios and not making a potential knee-jerk decision.

"I don't think a decision on calling the season off needs to be made at this moment.

"For us, we're not going to go up, we're not going to go down this season, for other clubs it could have a bigger impact and no doubt they will have a louder voice one way or the other."

Macklin does not believe a decision needs to be made imminently
Macklin does not believe a decision needs to be made imminently (Chris Radburn/PA)

Macklin accepted that playing behind closed doors adds a big financial worry, but says clubs can make some money through their iFollow streaming platforms.

"It's a concern as it is for every club, but we would rather be playing games that we can use our streaming platform for rather than play no football at all," he added.

"But that is very much with the caveat that it is safe and responsible and morally the right thing to be doing at the moment and we are nowhere near that stage.

"I get that some clubs might want to cancel because there are obviously costs ongoing with the season at a pause mode, but the league will make that decision in consultation with the member clubs and hopefully a unanimous decision will be made.

"But I don't think one needs to be made in the near future."

The EFL have come under fire from some quarters for their leadership during the crisis, with Scunthorpe chairman Peter Swann vocal about it, while several League One clubs are understood to be frustrated by a lack of direction.

That is not how Macklin feels, though, as he praised EFL chairman Rick Parry.

"I think they have done more than OK," he said. "Rick Parry, who we have had a number of conversations with pre and post-Covid 19, I think has shown true leadership.

"I have been impressed with the executive of the EFL, we are in dialogue regularly with League One and League Two chairman and chief executives with has been facilitated by the EFL.

"I think they deserve some praise. They are communicating better than they ever have done. We are having conference calls twice a week and Rick Parry have shown great leadership."

Oliver Dowden says the Government are in talks with sporting organisation
Oliver Dowden says the Government are in talks with sporting organisation (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Government is working with competition organisers such as the Premier League on their plans to restart action amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, said discussions were taking place but stressed again that scientific advice would be key to any resumption.

"In response to future events, we are working with the relevant sporting organisations to understand their plans," he said.

"They have to do it consistent with the scientific evidence and we are helping them to understand whether it is possible for events to go ahead.

"For example, I've had conversations with the Premier League and others. But we have been clear throughout all of it that the Government will not consent to events taking place unless we can be sure it is safe to do so."

ID:397038:
Latest coronavirus PSA advert

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Oliver Dowden

Share this article now:
Declan Rice in action for England on September 7, 2019
Read Next:
Wilshere names Rice as PL's best youngster
>
Latest Sports Video
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29271166214582
2Manchester CityMan City28183768313757
3Leicester CityLeicester29165858283053
4Chelsea29146951391248
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd29129844301445
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves29101364134743
7Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd28111073025543
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs29118104740741
9Arsenal2891364036440
10Burnley29116123440-639
11Crystal Palace29109102632-639
12Everton29107123746-937
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2998122541-1635
14Southampton29104153552-1734
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29611123240-829
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2976163550-1527
17Watford2969142744-1727
18Bournemouth2976162947-1827
19Aston Villa2874173456-2225
20Norwich CityNorwich2956182552-2721

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!