I AM A FAN of several sports. But I agree that the health and wellbeing of the public must be the Government’s first priority.

It appears the Football Association (FA) and the English Football League (EFL) have been taken by surprise.

Contingency plans should have been in place for such an occurrence. Fortunately, this sort of crisis does not occur very often. Even so rules should have been in place. If such rules existed every club would know how things stood. I think it is unlikely that the current season will be completed. During the course of the weekend it has become apparent that if the programme is not completed there are two options... either accept the league positions as they stand or simply expunge the season.

Without any clear guidelines any decision will be liable to legal challenges. A relegated club will face massive financial shortfalls and not take such a situation lightly. The FA and EFL could face a number of court cases.

During this enforced break I believe those who run football need to look at the format of the season. Even before the coronavirus struck fixture congestion was mounting. I was never a fan of the winter break. The unpredictability of the British weather means that we can experience severe weather anytime between November and April.

The break earlier this year meant that two weekends were lost. There is always a chance of fair weather during this break and severe conditions and disruption afterwards. By playing more matches earlier in the season it would ease the pressure of any disruption.

In the past it was normal practice to play two matches per week during the first month of the season. Two or three matches would also be played over the Christmas and Easter periods. A return to these practices would probably be for the best.

The bigger clubs seem to be showing less interest in the domestic cup competitions. If the FA and League cups are to continue changes are needed. I believe the League Cup should be completed by Christmas.

Inevitably, we always seem to get fixture congestion after Christmas so playing more matches earlier in the season would probably be beneficial.

Richard J Szypulski Lavender Street Brighton