Can the EPL manage 433 games in just 56 days?

The Premier League season could be finished with a fixture frenzy when the lockdown is lifted.

This is according to some media reports emerging from the UK, where it is believed that football leadership in the country has written to all 71 Championship, League One and League Two teams, outlining a seven-point master plan for an August finish.

Calculations on how games could pan out show that it would mean a total of 433 matches will be played in less than two months.

But this will be dependent on the UK government providing the green light amid the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis.

According to The Sun newspaper, English Football League (EFL) chairperson Rick Parry has advised clubs across the UK structures to give their players a complete break now to offset what could be a shorter time off between the end of this term and the start of the new campaign.

There is also thought of Premier League clubs restarting behind closed doors in June.

“Whenever the decision will be taken that it is safe to resume, we estimate that the league will require approximately 56 days to complete the outstanding matches in the season [including play-offs],” Parry wrote, The Sun reports.

“We assume that matches will be played behind closed doors when we eventually return.

“And as part of our contingency planning, we are mindful of the need to try and mitigate the cost of this to clubs as best we can.

“How and when we return [including training] is subject to change and any decisions will be taken in conjunction with the government and relevant health authorities.”

However, in a blow to many cash-strapped clubs, the letter also reveals that a £125 million (R2.8 billion) advance from the Premier League to the EFL and National League will not be distributed, “while additional clarity is sought on other financial matters, particularly in respect to player wages”.

The EFL season was suspended indefinitely, with the last few games taking place in League One and League Two on March 10.

Several sides have already put players and staff on furlough.

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