Ruud Gullit has warned that Premier League clubs will go bust if the season is cancelled.
Pressure is growing on Europe’s top divisions to scrap the current campaign after Holland became the first nation to admit defeat in the plan to start playing while the coronavirus pandemic rages.
But Gullit, the Dutchman who managed both Chelsea and Newcastle, fears Premier League clubs face a financial meltdown if the season isn’t resumed.
It has been estimated that the world’s richest league will lose £1.3bn in television revenues, sponsorship cash and ticket money.
And Gullit said: “Dutch football can cope financially - because the television money is not as huge as in England.
“The Premier League has a completely different interest (in finishing the season) and there is much more at stake - because they could end up missing out on massive amounts of money.
“If they don’t get their television money, I can see a lot of clubs falling to pieces.”
Dutch FA chiefs cancelled the Eredivisie season on Friday - and announced that all results would be wiped from the records.
And government regulations means there will be no football in Holland until September.
Earlier this month, Club Brugge were declared Belgian champions after the season was cut short.
UEFA has urged clubs to “explore all possible options’ to finish their seasons by the end of July.
And the Premier League remains committed to meeting that timetable - even if that means playing games behind-closed-doors.
UEFA also announced that European places for next season’s Champions League and Europa League would be decided on “sporting merit.”
But the decision to abandon the season in Holland may now bring a raft of cancellations with the head of the Dutch FA claiming it’s “very doubtful” the Premier League will be able to complete the campaign - even behind closed doors.
KNVB president Just Spee said: “It’s slim.
“The Premier League will need a number of weeks to complete their competition. Is there going to be enough time for that? Doubtful, very doubtful.”
Champions elect Liverpool, who hold a 25-point-lead, will be praying the Premier League doesn’t follow suit but Spee added: “If you were to compare that to the English situation, maybe you would come to a different conclusion.
“Liverpool is so way out compared to the rest, I would not blame the FA to come to that conclusion. But in our case that was simply not appropriate.”
