EFL shutdown due to rising Covid cases is ‘inevitable’, says Rochdale chief executive

Suspending the EFL is "inevitable" due to a surge in coronavirus cases, says chief executive of League One side Rochdale, David Bottomley.

Prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday evening announced a third national lockdown as new Covid-19 cases across the UK hit record peaks, though elite sport will be allowed to continue in England.

Several outbreaks have led to more than 50 matches being called off this season and Bottomley believes the EFL - which governs the three divisions below the Premier League - must take action.

A total of 34 League One matches have been called off so far, including Rochdale's previous two matches.

"Surely just for a month until the vaccine starts to get rolled out, we could have a break," Bottomley told the BBC.

"(Suspending the league) is inevitable. Hospitals across the United Kingdom are being told they are to face a massive surge in cases so who are we in football to be trying to add to that situation?"

"My fear, in common with that of a number of other League One chief executives... is there will be so many players test positive that we'll almost have to suspend the season. Human life is far more important than whether we play matches."

Additional reporting by Reuters.

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