Gary Neville fears "looming nightmare" for EFL clubs in wake of coronavirus

Salford City co-owner Neville believes that there is a looming economic "nightmare" for a number of EFL clubs, many of whom will be forced into administration

Gary Neville has warned that the Football League is facing financial “carnage” and a "looming nightmare".

Salford City co-owner Neville is concerned that a number of clubs in the EFL will soon be heading into administration, due to the financial impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The former Manchester United and England star believes some will have little choice in their quest to save themselves.

Huddersfield owner Phil Hodgkinson told the BBC over the weekend he was worried "50 or 60" clubs could go bust if they do not properly prepare beyond the end of this season.

Neville disputes that figure, but speaking on The Football Show on Sky Sports, he said: "It will be July, August, September, October where the real pressure comes.

"I do think there will be clubs considering going into administration in the next three to four months, basically just to save themselves.

"Everybody's looking down at their own feet and they're not seeing the carnage that's coming economically in the next three to four months.

"I do think there is a looming nightmare economically for the EFL clubs, quite a few of them.

“Whether it's up to 60 I'm not sure."

Meanwhile, Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace insists there is "absolutely no integrity whatsoever" in deciding to finish the League Two season on a points per game basis.

League Two clubs voted to end the campaign earlier this month without clubs being relegated to the National League but the EFL has included demotion in its framework.

Stevenage are currently bottom of League Two.

Wallace said on Stevenage's website: "There is absolutely no integrity whatsoever in using a mathematical formula to expel a club from the EFL. That is unjust and wholly wrong. As the rules stand, we should play it or void it.

"We can introduce a rule change for PPG for promotion and play-offs, I have no problem with that but it's wholly wrong if that artificial formula is then used to relegate a club that has a reasonable chance of surviving by playing.

"Since the National League season wasn't completed in the way it was intended, one option is to leave League Two as it is, with no relegation, and promote one club from the National League this season instead of two, to bring the EFL back to 72 teams, but with 3U3D (three promoted, three relegated) established and in place for next season.

"No lawsuits, no clubs bankrupted and something created for the National League that appears to be impossible to achieve."

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