OPINION: EFL’s welcome decision amid coronavirus crisis

However, they ought to be applauded for their most recent announcement, which saw them set out plans for a £50m relief package to help clubs in dire straits without any matchday income due to the ongoing pandemic.

That figure will be split into immediate payments for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign and an interest-free loan facility.

The BBC has seen a letter sent to clubs on the back of the announcement, and report that the ‘basic award payment’ due to clubs comes in at £252,200.

The basic award payment is a flat figure for all clubs in the division, staggered over the course of the season.

This is being advanced immediately to help with any short-term cash flow issues.

The letter also states that clubs will, should they choose, be able to borrow up to £182,800 from the loan facility.

It’s heartening to see the EFL, for once, at least, responding swiftly to the concerns of its member clubs.

We’ve already seen a number of non-league clubs, such as Barnet and, closer to home, Chorley, announce draconian measures to make ends meet, with both putting all of their non-playing staff on notice.

The EFL’s short-term relief fund will probably turn out to be exactly that, a short-term fix to what is likely to be a longer-term problem. But it’s a very positive start.

As Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony recently said, it’s inevitable more will be required in the coming months.

“It’s a start and a common sense approach,” MacAnthony said.

“Bravo to the EFL for acting quickly, but more will be required so keep working on it.”

Whether the cash comes from the EFL, the government or even Premier League clubs, it doesn’t really matter as long as it’s forthcoming.

Otherwise, MacAnthony warns, we’re looking at around 30 per cent of lower league clubs falling into administration.

Both Peterborough and Blackpool will lose out from the postponement of their League One fixture, which was due to be televised on Sky Sports next Sunday.

The Seasiders, meanwhile, will have already lost out in the region of £150,000 from their cancelled game with Sunderland alone, with the Black Cats due to bring 4,300 away fans to Bloomfield Road.

With no income to speak of whatsoever, other than the odd discounted shirt sale here or there, the future looks pretty bleak.

Last week we also saw the football season delayed once again, this time being put back to April 30 at the earliest.

Again, I’d be very surprised if that date isn’t pushed back again, but at least it bides a bit more time for the authorities.

I’ve already gone on record with my opinion on the domestic football season and how it should be completed.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter.

I understand the need to put plans in place but, with so much uncertainty surrounding the globe at this minute, it seems foolish to set an exact time and date for the return of football when we don’t know what’s coming around the corner.

Follow the guidelines, stay at home and we’ll return to some sort of normality – whatever that means – when this pandemic has been dealt with, or at least managed and controlled Until then, football can wait.

It is, however, encouraging to see the EFL, the FA and the women’s professional game working collaboratively to tackle these big issues. Too often they’ve been divided by differing agendas.

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