Southport Football Club is refusing to play tomorrow’s National League North fixture away against Curzon Ashton, citing the health and safety of players during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Both clubs are in agreement over not fulfilling the fixture.
The Sandgrounders have also expressed concerns over the uncertain financial position that clubs in the National League currently find themselves in.
Unlike the Premier League, where players and playing staff undergo Coronavirus testing on a regular basis, clubs at Southport’s level are carrying on with lots of safety precautions in place, but without the benefit of Covid tests.
A club spokesperson said: “Southport Football Club, in agreement with Curzon Ashton, will not be fulfilling tomorrow evening’s fixture.
“There are two ongoing reasons for this. Firstly, we have had concerns, as we have expressed on numerous occasions, as to the health and safety of our players, staff and volunteers who are being asked to play during a global pandemic. We have not to date received any tests from the National League.
“We played recently in the FA Trophy because both teams were able to use the prize money to pay for testing.
“Secondly, clubs at our level remain in a very difficult financial position.
“Again as we have indicated previously, we do not believe that we as a club should play on whilst others face the threat of insolvency through no fault of their own.
“The majority of clubs at this level argued for the grants, and started the season on the understanding that the season would be funded that way if fans did not return.
“That solidarity has been lost to some extent along the way, but we will support as best we can those clubs who simply cannot afford to continue in the league this season.
“Southport FC will maintain this position until at least the result of the resolution is known.”
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