Burnley chairman Mike Garlick has warned the club will go bust in August if the Premier League season is cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Clarets say they will lose £50million if the season does not restart – and warned that other clubs could face losses of double that amount.
The current Premier League campaign was suspended on Friday, with no fixed date for a return amid the worldwide Covid-19 outbreak.
While the league and its member clubs are still committed to completing the season, it is unclear when that will be possible, and whether or not games will have to be played behind closed doors.
And Garlick said Burnley – one of the Premier League’s best-run clubs – only have four months before the money runs out.
(Image: Jan Kruger)
“The fact of the matter is, if we don’t finish the season and there isn’t a clear start date for next season, we, as a club, will run out of money by August,” said Garlick, taking to Sky Sports News.
“That is a fact. I can’t speak for other clubs, I don’t know their financial positions. All I can speak for us our club and our position.
“That’s why we’re very determined that when of course it is safe to do so, we really want to finish this season.”
Garlick added: “We voted unanimously to finish the season, so it’s clear everyone wants to get the job done.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
“It is crystal clear that finishing the season is by far the best outcome for all the Premier League clubs.”
A statement from Burnley said the club would lose £45m in TV money if the campaign could not be completed.
And they said they expected to miss out on £5million in matchday revenue whether or not the season resumes, due to the likelihood of games having to be played behind closed doors.
The statement read: “Due to the continued suspension of Premier League games this presents some significant challenges for the football club.
(Image: REUTERS)
“Burnley FC are set to lose around £5m in lost revenue from the remaining home games, which in the event that the season finishes would be unlikely to be recouped owing to the likely prospect of these fixtures being played behind closed doors.
“In addition, the Clarets face missing out cash payments from the Premier League of up to £45m in broadcasting revenue and other items if the season is not finished.
“It is believed that other clubs could be looking at up to a £100m shortfall.”
