Sheffield Wednesday league rivals 'appalled' by EFL handling of restart announcement

The provisional restart of the Championship season on June 20 was met with a distinctly mixed reception from clubs and supporters alike over the weekend.
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And one club has made it abundantly clear of their thoughts around the news, revealing that clubs were given only 40 minutes warning of the decision before it was made public on Saturday evening.

Queens Park Rangers chief executive Lee Hoos has also made clear that his club was not consulted by the EFL in any way before the announcement.

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In an open letter to the authorities, Hoos said that from dugout to boardroom, the Rs are ‘appalled’ by the decision, which also appears to take issue with the amount of time given for players to work up to match fitness.

He said: “I am absolutely stunned by this announcement, as is our Director of Football Les Ferdinand and our manager Mark Warburton.

“Incredibly, there has been absolutely no consultation with individual clubs nor with the Championship doctors' working group by the divisional representatives - or anyone else in the Football League – regarding this matter.

“On top of that, we were only made aware of the statement 40 minutes before it was made public.

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“Having spoken with Les and Mark, they share my views. We are vehemently opposed to this schedule.

QPR CEO Lee Hoos has lashed out at the latest news from the EFL.QPR CEO Lee Hoos has lashed out at the latest news from the EFL.
QPR CEO Lee Hoos has lashed out at the latest news from the EFL.

“The players haven’t even returned to full-contact training at this moment and yet they are now expected to be in a position to play at a competitive level in just three weeks’ time."

“I have made our feelings known to the EFL and, having spoken with a number of CEOs at other Championship clubs, I am not a lone voice on this matter," he said.

“We are absolutely appalled.”

Last night's EFL statement said: "Following Saturday’s announcement by the Government to allow elite sporting events to return behind closed doors, the EFL has this weekend agreed to a provisional restart date of the weekend of 20 June 2020 for matches in the Sky Bet Championship.

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"The date is subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and Government guidance is met; and that Clubs receive clearance from their local authorities in order to stage matches at their home grounds."

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