Peterborough United chairman believes huge financial refunds and legal bills would follow the voiding of the 2019-20 season, but he’s confident it isn’t going to happen

MacAnthony discussed the financial implications of following the lead of the Dutch FA who called a halt to their season yesterday (April 24), while abandoning title wins, promotions and relegations, in the latest edition of his ‘Hard Truths’ podcast.

The Posh co-owner believes clubs would be liable to refund the EFL, sponsors and season ticket holders if the season is stopped now.

“There’s around 23% of the season still to go,” MacAnthony said. “And the clubs have received £1.7 million each in EFL and solidarity money and 23% of that could reasonably have to be refunded because we won’t have fulfilled our part of the deal. That’s about £390k each.

“I know owners like Andy Holt (Accrington) don’t believe clubs would have to refund the money, but why not? If a supplier only supplied 77% of what Andy’s business had ordered I dare say he’d want a refund on the other 23%.

“Season ticket holders could also justifiably ask for a refund. If clubs have five home games left like Posh do and we don’t play them we could have refund bills of anywhere between £80-150k.

“Sponsors could also want money back. If they’re not getting the exposure they were promised on TV and elsewhere that could be another £150k in refunds. I seriously believe clubs could have a ‘void bill’ of anywhere between £600-800k

“Voiding the season now would be a serious case of shooting yourself in the foot.

“On the other hand if we play the season out when it’s safe there would be an income even if the matches are played behind closed doors.

“If we make the games available on iFollow we would make it free for season ticket holders and thus ensure we avoid giving refunds to them. We could charge £15-20 per game for other viewers and with the matches we have left we could make £30k-40k a match so up to £200k-£300k each in total. It would cost about £10-15k to stage a match.

“There’s also the feelgood factor this would generate in fans who would spend on merchandise and season tickets in the future.”

MacAnthony is still confident voiding the season won’t happen. He spoke to EFL chairman Rick Parry earlier this week.

“Rick Parry rang me and we had a good chat,” MacAnthony added. “The EFL are firmly in agreement with me in that they want the season to finish and I have every confidence in Rick and his team.

“He certainly does not want the EFL tied up in lawsuits for years to come which is what would follow voiding the season.

“Me and my partners have invested everything to try and win promotion this season and we can’t stop now that we have played so much of the season.”