Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer has admitted that the contract uncertainty surrounding players amid the EFL postponement could affect the club.  

All EFL fixtures are on hold until April 30th at the earliest due to the outbreak of coronavirus, with no actual resume date confirmed.

There’s every chance that the season could spill well into the summer, which could be an issue for clubs with players in on loan or out of contract at the end of June.

Bowyer is adamant that this could affect Charlton, with the Addicks boss weighing in with his thoughts on the developing situation.

“This is a problem no-one seems to be talking about – nobody has even mentioned the contract situation,” Bowyer said, as quoted by London News Online.

“But someone did say that UEFA said if we haven’t started by the end of June then they’d probably look to cancel all football – make it null and void.

“Regarding us we have got something like 14 or 15 players out of contract [at the end of July] – including six loans. 

“Even if they say that you can extend those by a month then a lot of clubs are going to run out of money. If a club runs out of money and can only pay half or less than that, then players aren’t going to play.” 

If, or when, the season resumes, Bowyer will be looking to guide the Addicks to safety in the Championship after a tough recent run had seen them slip into the bottom three.

With nine games left to play, Charlton are 22nd in the table, two points adrift of Hull City, who hover just outside the relegation zone.

QUIZ: The higher or lower Charlton challenge – Can you get 15/15?

The Verdict

This is a topic that not many people are finding a solution for, as Bowyer says.

So many loans expire in June, whilst players will see their contracts expire on June 30th across the country.

That will affect Charlton and there’s no guarantee players will play on beyond that, which is obviously a worry for Bowyer.

With so much on the line in terms of relegation, this added complication isn’t what the Charlton boss needs.

Thoughts? Let us know!