Hampshire non-league football condemns ‘greedy’ National League for making clubs play amidst coronavirus fears

The non-league competition controversially announced on Friday that games in their three divisions would proceed as planned despite the ongoing Covid-19 situation wreaking havoc across society and the sporting landscape.

With the Premier League, EFL and a variety of leagues across the continent suspended, Saturday's non-league clash between Notts County and Eastleigh inadvertently became the biggest game in England.

There were 4,942 in attendance as the hosts ran out 4-0 victors in a match that Eastleigh boss Ben Strevens believes should never have been played.

‘The reason National League games went ahead and the EFL games didn't go ahead and the Premier League games didn't go ahead is because whoever sits on the board of the National League cared about money,’ he said. "Simple as that.

‘For the well-being of the spectators and it's not only players because they're young, fit athletes. It's nothing to do with that.

‘It's the supporters who come here - and it's not only the supporters, we've got a kitman who is an old boy.

‘I looked around today and there's stewards that are older. They're the ones that are most at risk from this virus.

‘There's no way whatsoever these games should have been played.

‘If the EFL are not playing them and if the Premier League are not playing them, then the National League shouldn't be playing them.’

Responding to Strevens' comments, National League chief executive Michael Tattersall said: ‘It's not really a time for having an argument, it's a time for reflecting on what's happening in our society.

‘We're going to put out our own statement thanking everybody for their efforts today and sending everybody who is suffering from the virus or self-isolating all our best wishes.’

Tattersall later added: ‘The National League is keeping the continuation of the season under constant review and will provide a further update in due course.’

A suspension of the season would leave Eastleigh chief executive Kenny Amor, like so many club officials, facing an uncomfortable few weeks - and possibly months.

‘From what I understand, I think there was a fair bit of pressure put on the National League to try and go ahead with fixtures, just because of the revenue generated by matchdays and how much it means to the cashflow for clubs in our position,’ Amor said.

‘We were less concerned about games being on. We've been more affected by our events business and cancellations within that.

‘I mean, we are concerned because our last two home games have been called off, so we're going to potentially go through the whole of March without a home game.

‘It does really affect our cashflow, but people's health is more important.

‘It's more important that the right decisions are made, so we'll get on with it. It's just how long something like this could last. Where's the end?’