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EFL creates £50M relief fund to assist clubs amid COVID-19 outbreak

Bryn Lennon / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The English Football League announced Wednesday that it will assist clubs with a £50-million short-term relief package to help alleviate financial hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

"This fund consists of the remaining Basic Award payments being advanced to Clubs immediately, with the remainder made up through interest-free loan facility available to Clubs, calculated in line with the EFL's Article of Associations," reads a statement.

"The cash injection is included as part of a series of measures, that includes potential Government support to help Clubs and their associated businesses through this period of uncertainty."

It continues, "We will continue our discussions with our football partners to determine how we can all get through this difficult, challenging and unprecedented situation."

The decision comes a day after 47 League One and League Two clubs expressed their concerns over losses that would amount to £50 million if the season can't restart before the summer, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law.

The EFL insisted that completing the season is one of its top priorities and that doing so would "protect competition integrity" for the various English leagues that suspended play to combat the spread of COVID-19.

"Plans continue to be developed on the agreed principle that it is in the best interests of the EFL and Clubs to complete the current season at the appropriate time," the statement adds.

It was announced Friday that EFL matches would be suspended until April 3, but uncertainty surrounding the virus casts doubt on when it will be safe to resume play.

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