Sheffield United fans won't be allowed inside Bramall Lane "any time soon" says FA chief

Bramall Lane has not staged any games since the beginning of March: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

The Premier League and English Football League both accept that any resumption to their schedule in the immediate future must take place behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.

PA Sport understands top-flight clubs were told on Friday that the remaining matches of the 2019-20 season must be played at neutral venues.

In a letter to the FA Council, sent on Friday, Clarke said: "The reality is that we just don't know how things are going to pan out.

"But with social distancing in place for some time to come we do face substantial changes to the whole football ecosystem.

"For example it's hard to foresee crowds of fans - who are the lifeblood of the game - returning to matches any time soon."

Clarke added that the ongoing uncertainty means that the board has agreed a "sensible" £75million budget cut.

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