Premier League bosses will come under renewed pressure to scrap their pay-per-view scheme because of the second national lockdown.
The 20 clubs will meet again this week with fans groups already unhappy at the £14.95 fee charged for supporters to watch some top flight games.
Government chiefs may also intervene if the lockdown continues beyond December 2 after urging the Premier League to show all games during the first lockdown, even making some free-to-air.
Premier League clubs agreed to review the pay-per-view policy after the international break which leaves them with two weekends of games - November 21/22 and 28/29 - under the second lockdown and it is likely to be back on the agenda when they meet this week.
It has become a toxic issue but the Government may feel if they allow Premier League football to continue then they want it made available without an extra charge as at least one way of keeping the nation entertained.
Premier League bosses are clearly relieved that they will be able to carry on and believe their protocols have proved to be a success, especially as last week’s tests only had two positive cases.
But the new lockdown means the knock-on effect makes it certain that clubs will have to wait even longer for fans to return and that has huge implications for gate receipts, advertising and sponsorship and also the TV contracts.
EFL clubs are also anticipating no major change even though they currently do not have regular testing for Championship, League One and Two clubs.
That is being reviewed on a regular basis but their protocols have also largely proved successful while the Professional Footballers’ Association have publicly insisted they will foot the bill on coronavirus testing.
But that is more about funding regular audits on the protocols rather than paying for tests throughout the divisions.
Football Association chiefs are likely to be told on Monday the implications for the FA Cup as there are still several clubs - Bishops Stortford, FC United of Manchester, Maldon & Tiptree, Marine, South Shields and Skelmersdale - are outside of the “elite level.”
The hope is they will be allowed to play on but the FA have yet to be told while grassroots and academies are also waiting on further instructions after the new lockdown was announced.
Would you pay a reduced fee for pay-per-view games? Have your say here.
* Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip
