Mark Catlin: Portsmouth primed to survive financial fall-out from coronavirus - but others will struggle

Mark Catlin is adamant the prospect of behind-closed-doors fixtures would not be ‘life threatening’ to Pompey’s financial health.
Mark Catlin believes Pompey can absorb losses from behind-closed-doors games - but fears for other League One and League Two clubs. Picture: Joe PeplerMark Catlin believes Pompey can absorb losses from behind-closed-doors games - but fears for other League One and League Two clubs. Picture: Joe Pepler
Mark Catlin believes Pompey can absorb losses from behind-closed-doors games - but fears for other League One and League Two clubs. Picture: Joe Pepler

However, he believes a number of League One and League Two clubs would struggle to pay players if such moves to combat coronavirus was implemented.

As it stands, there has been no Football League decree to stage fixtures without supporters present.

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In France, football authorities have ordered Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games to be held behind closed doors until April 15

Italy had earlier introduced the policy, with all Serie A games subject to non-fan attendance until April 3.

Catlin estimates Pompey would lose around £100,000 a match in revenue should their games operate behind closed doors.

Yet whereas the Blues could absorb such figures, he believes other clubs outside of the Championship would be put at risk.

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The chief executive told The News: ‘Every club is a different circumstance financially.

‘Even though we are a big club in League One and League Two, considering we have sold so many season tickets, the financial match-day losses would be a lot less to us.

‘What’s more, as we run the club in a sustainable manner, we’re in a position to withstand a period of financial instability.

‘A lot of other clubs run their businesses hand to mouth. I factually know of 6/7 clubs that rely on their match-day income in order to pay the wages at the end of the month.

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‘I’m sure there are more than that, but they’re the ones I am very close to and have had discussions with. Obviously the clubs are talking among themselves.

‘At Pompey, we are in a financial position where it wouldn’t be great to play games behind closed doors, but it’s not life threatening to the business.

‘However, there are a lot of other clubs where it would be and we have a lot of empathy for them.

‘If matches are going to be played behind closed doors, there will be a huge knock-on effect.’

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Pompey have nine League One matches remaining this season, with Accrington visiting on Saturday.

There is also the Leasing.com Trophy final against Salford on Sunday, April 5, a fixture the Blues have already sold in excess of 50,000 tickets for.

Such matches are not yet affected – but Catlin is monitoring developments.

He added: ‘You just keep an eye on it, watch the news, watch for developments and trust in the government and health experts to make the right decisions.

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‘Football is not immune. As we saw on Monday, the stock markets crashed, obviously it is serious, events like that don’t suddenly happen.

‘You have to avoid, panic and overreaction. Everyone has to stay calm and listen to the advice of the experts – and follow that advice.’

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