Mark Catlin expects behind-closed-doors solution to complete Portsmouth season

There can be no definitive date for the resumption of football as the world battles against the coronavirus pandemic.

However, Catlin believes there are now indications of how football chiefs propose to fulfil the postponed campaign.

Tellingly, Uefa have granted the request for lifting broadcast restrictions on Premier League games which kick off at 3pm, thereby enabling them to be shown live on TV.

That would allow matches to be played behind closed doors, while allowing supporters to watch from afar.

In addition, it would ensure clubs abide by the current ban on massed gatherings.

And Catlin feels behind closed doors fixtures could now provide the solution.

He told The News: ‘I believe football will return, initially behind closed doors. I couldn’t really contemplate that pre-COVID 19, but that’s how things are panning out.

‘My opinion is there will be a gradual relaxation and return to what we knew as normality. However, I think among the last restrictions to be lifted will be mass gatherings. Again, that is my opinion.

‘Do I believe football will now take place behind closed doors to get this season finished? Yes. I think we have to look at that.

‘Whether it be Pompey with just under 20,000 supporters or Manchester United with 60,000, I cannot see that amount of people being allowed to congregate together in the short term.

‘We are already looking and working on different scenarios, though. I see Uefa have recently lifted the 3pm blackout rule for broadcasting Saturday games.

‘I am not privy to anything else, but you can only assume that will allow clubs the freedom to broadcast games at that time, with supporters not in the stadium.

‘At Pompey, there are a variety of different scenarios we are looking at – and broadcasting games in a closed stadium to supporters is something we are considering.

‘It’s not ideal, but we are not living in ideal times. These are extraordinary times and extraordinary times call for extraordinary decisions.’

Catlin admitted Pompey’s decision to start essential maintenance work of the North Stand was influenced by the likelihood of playing behind closed doors.

And with a 14-week schedule for the work, it wouldn’t disrupt the capacity should the season resume in such circumstances.

He added: ‘We took into account the behind-closed-doors scenario when deciding about the North Stand work. We did our own model of how it could pan out.

‘There were a lot of discussions with the board and what their views are – then we arrived at where we thought football would be.

‘Again, that is just my opinion. That's the consensus on which we have made this decision.’

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