English FA cuts 82 jobs as coronavirus pandemic wipes out Wembley events

The English Football Association is cutting 82 jobs to cover an anticipated 300 million pound ($370 million) deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic restricting crowds at games and more events being canceled. Wembley Stadium, which is owned by the FA, was due to stage seven games at the European Championship including the semifinals and finals next month but the tournament was postponed by a year. Other events, including concerts and two NFL regular-season games, that were due to be staged at English soccer's 90,000-capacity national stadium this year have also been called off.

English FA cuts 82 jobs

"We have already lost that money and there is no way we can recover it, FA chairman Greg Clarke said on Monday.

"The pandemic will be followed by an economic recession, so there will be problems that last for years." 

According to the British government tally, there have been more than 43,500 coronavirus-related deaths since March. While the sport has resumed this month, supporters are not allowed in stadiums. For the first time since the rebuilt Wembley opened in 2007, a game was to be played without fans on Monday the League Two play-off final between Exeter and Northampton.  The loss of revenue will also be felt when the FA Cup semifinals and final are staged at an empty Wembley in the coming weeks.

"No one knows when a vaccine will be ready or when better medical treatments will be ready," Clarke said. 

"So we have to plan for extended periods of social distancing which could limit crowds ... and could limit the number of competitions to be played. Hospitality revenue, which can generate 35 million pounds a year, has completely fallen away and will probably take years to recover," the FA said. 

Compensation has also had to be paid for some of the canceled events, while the FA has been unable to fulfil some commitments to sponsors and broadcasters. When Britain went into lockdown in March, the FA halted recruitment and 42 vacant positions will not be filled. Another 82 roles are being removed from the not-for-profit governing body. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the focus will be spending on the key mission  helping the men's and women's national teams win major tournaments. "That means we have set out in our proposals some difficult choices because we do not think we can afford to do all the things that we did before, he said. 

Image credits: AP