Richard Masters, the chief executive of the Premier League, has admitted the current season has proved “brutal” for top-flight clubs and warned of a financial loss heading “towards £2bn”.
Speaking on the anniversary of the suspension of England’s top league, Masters reflected on the impact of the pandemic on football and looked forward to the return of fans, with the aspiration being a “normal Premier League” from the start of next season.
“It’s been a hell of a journey,” Masters said. “
We had to get the 2019-20 season finished. That felt like more of a sprint, and this season has been a long haul, getting to this point.
“The schedule that we’ve put in front of the clubs and the players is pretty brutal: they’re playing a full Premier League fixture list, European competitions, two cup competitions as well, all in a truncated period.”
Masters, speaking to Premier League Productions, confirmed he expected the Premier League’s financial losses to have reached “towards £2bn” by the end of the season. But with the government releasing a roadmap that could result in crowds of up to 10,000 being allowed into grounds for the final two matches of the season, there was cause for optimism.
“We can see the end of the season on the horizon; we’re really looking forward to that moment, hopefully with the fans back,” said Masters. “From next season our goal is to have full stadia. There’s a lot of water to pass under the bridge before that can happen but that’s our ultimate goal.”