Rick hits out over fans ban

ACTION: EFL boss Parry

EFL chairman Rick Parry has accused the Government of “victimising” football.

Ministers performed a U- turn on their pledge to let crowds back into grounds this month.

And with no fans allowed until March at the earliest, EFL clubs need a £ 250m bailout to survive.

Parry is seething the Government has come up with £ 1.5bn for the arts but cannot find any cash for football.

He has written a letter to Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, stating: “While football grounds in Rochdale, Grimsby, Mansfield and Carlisle might seem an awful long way from Glyndebourne or the Royal Ballet, they are nonetheless equally important parts of our nation’s heritage.

“Certainly, those communities that are inextricably linked to their local team will never forgive it ( the Government) if their beloved football clubs are driven into extinction.”

Dowden has called on the Premier League to bailout the EFL, but an offer of £ 50m was rejected and Parry says the responsibility lies with the Government.

Manchester United also hit out at the ban on fans after modifying Old Trafford to safely hold 23,500 supporters.

Chief operating officer Collette Roche said: “It’s quite bemusing to understand why people can gather in other settings, such as on an aeroplane or in a restaurant – or even in a cinema to watch football – when we know we’ve got the plans and the process is ready to deliver a match- day here safely.”

Meanwhile, Bundesliga clubs have been forced into a U- turn after fans were blocked from going to games.

Germany’s top- flight teams have been allowed limited numbers, depending on local infection rates, but national restrictions have now been reinstated.