League One season must be extended into July to beat coronavirus threat - Portsmouth supporter club chairman

That’s the verdict of Basher Benfield, chairman of Pompey Disabled Supporters’ Association.

Pompey’s season has been suspended until April 3 as football attempts to combat the spread of coronavirus.

However, there remains the threat of the campaign being scrapped entirely should the critical situation show no signs of improvement.

With Euro 2020 expected to be switched to the summer of 2021, that would allow the current campaign to be extended to accommodate remaining fixtures.

And Benfield believes that represents the preferred choice of supporters.

He said: ‘I agree with football’s stance to postpone matches, everything has to grind to a halt until coronavirus passes.

‘I cannot see the season being scrapped, though, there will be people suing and cases going to court, it would get complex. The only way to do it is by completing the season.

‘The games have to be played at some stage, but then you’ll have the problem of people standing outside and trying to watch, too many people to control.

‘Perhaps the answer is playing the rest of the games whenever ready, while having a one-legged play-off semi-final on neutral venue, somewhere located between the two clubs.

‘Even if it takes 2-3 months, which would mean going to the end of June and straight through to July, that should be considered.

‘They’ll be more midweek games, but that’s the price you have to pay for fitting in all the remaining fixtures.

‘Then you can give the players a couple of weeks off in August before returning for September.’

Pompey, of course, have an additional match booked in – the Leasing.com Trophy final against Salford.

Scheduled for Sunday, April 5, that remains in place, two days after the purported return to competitive action.

However, there are considerable doubts that Wembley date will take place on the allotted date.

Benfield added: ‘The Leasing.com Trophy can still be played this season, just later in the summer.

‘Then, next season, perhaps it can be suspended along with the Carabao Cup, which would allow the league to start later.’