Tranmere Rovers chief issues stark financial warning to Peterborough United and League One rivals

Relegation-threatened Tranmere Rovers would be one of the biggest losers in League One if the season does not restart and their chairman has issued a stark financial warning to EFL clubs.
Tranmere Rovers chief issues stark financial warning to Peterborough United and League One rivalsTranmere Rovers chief issues stark financial warning to Peterborough United and League One rivals
Tranmere Rovers chief issues stark financial warning to Peterborough United and League One rivals

Tranmere are third bottom but just three points from safety with a game in hand and they won their last three games before the campaign was suspended, however if the season is curtailed when clubs vote then they will be heading back to the fourth tier.

And chairman and former FA chief executive Mark Palios has warned EFL clubs the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic could be even greater than the £200 million blow first feared.

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EFL chairman Rick Parry estimated the cost of the shutdown earlier this month but Palios believes the sum will continue to grow.

And he called for more talks between the EFL and the Professional Footballers' Association, and a relaxation of the league's rules governing administration, in a bid to mitigate the effects.

Speaking on 'Ridge on Sunday' on Sky News, Palios warned: "Whilst you may look at the 'hole' which has been articulated as £200 million to September - I think it's bigger than that.

"There is a real financial maelstrom coming towards the league at this point in time.

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"I personally believe we haven't seen the worst of it yet, and during the course of the summer you'll see a lot more financial stress on the clubs as we move onwards and continue to pay wages.

"I think what you'll see is a lot of clubs will stumble down the road to insolvency. You might see people getting high court orders against them. They'll bumble on for a period of time."

With League One clubs still struggling to reach a consensus on completing the season, Palios repeated his belief that relegation should be scrapped in order to help ease the financial burden.

Palios insisted: "We don't want to have a decision foisted upon us that is going to affect us financially. Why would you.. in terms of certain clubs, foist on them an even worse position?"