Share

LMA: No contact with Premier League for weeks

League Managers Association (LMA) chief executive Richard Bevan claims the organisation has not spoken to the English Football League (EFL) for three weeks as discussions around a return to action continue.

The age profile of many bosses, not to mention the possibility for previous health concerns, mean some of the LMA's members are likely to be considered more vulnerable than players to coronavirus.

It is Bevan's job to lobby in their interest and while he declares himself content with the communication involved with the Premier League - which is looking at a mid-June resumption - he noted a lack of discourse with the EFL.

"LMA are reassured by the regular dialogue with the Premier League and their public commitment on Friday to continued consultation, especially as our managers have many thousands of matches of experience and knowledge of the game," Bevan told the Daily Telegraph.

"It's worth noting though, that we have had no contact from the EFL for 21 days now and it seems that the Championship clubs are acting semi-autonomously anyway. Naturally, we are liaising with all EFL managers each week and debating direct with some individual EFL clubs, but there is no formal collective structure to that.

"We continue to take our responsibility to our members and the game very seriously, with our primary focus being the health and well-being of our members and everyone in the football family.

"We also need careful consideration for the moral dilemma posed by considering opening up football again at this time of national global crisis.

"The two big questions are can football restart and should football restart? Our members should have a prominent voice in answering both of those questions and we will ensure that voice is clearly heard."

The EFL was not available for comment but it is understood that the league is content it has had sufficiently regular communication with all stakeholders.

- TEAMtalk media

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE