Exeter Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe has warned Gallagher Premiership clubs could go bust if fans cannot return to matches by Christmas. The Premiership will resume on Friday after a five-month shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, but games will be played behind closed doors. Exeter were the only profitable top-flight outfit last year, but Rowe has admitted fearing for clubs’ futures if fixtures are not played in front of fans in the long-run. “I don’t think the rugby fraternity realise how much clubs are losing and it’s currently costing us just over £1million a month to keep operating,” said Rowe. But despite having one of the league’s most robust business models in normal circumstances, Rowe admitted Exeter have been hit just as hard by the pandemic as anyone else.

Source: Express August 10, 2020 12:56 UTC