Premier League and EFL call on Government to mirror hospitality sector and introduce emergency VAT cut for teams in a bid to ease financial concerns amid Covid-19 pandemic

Daily Mail | October 1, 2020

The Premier League and EFL are lobbying the Government for a VAT cut to help their clubs cope with the absence of fans during the pandemic.

There is a general acceptance in football that the Government will not provide any direct financial assistance beyond the emergency grants that have been given to the National League this week to ensure their season can begin as planned on Saturday.

But clubs at all levels feel that the Treasury could help by passing on tax cuts that have been given to other industries.

Premier League and EFL clubs want an emergency VAT cut introduced by the Government to help finances amid the Covid-19 pandemic

National League clubs are to receive government funding to allow their season to commence. However, they will play in empty stadiums rather than in front of fans (above at Halifax)

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden oversaw the Government bail-out for non-league clubs

Hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality sector have been paying a reduced VAT rate of five per cent since July, but this cut — which will remain in place until January — has not been passed on to sports clubs, despite the fact their biggest revenue stream has been shut down by the ban on crowds.