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West Ham United are facing a ‘financial hole’ due to the global health crisis.

But ‘there are options’ to resume seasons according to UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin.

West Ham’s battle for survival has been on hold since football – and indeed life in general – was shut down last month.

There is growing uncertainty over how, when or even if the Premier League season will resume.

Indeed West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady made it clear from the get go that she felt the season should be declared null and void (The Sun).

West Ham owners facing ‘financial hole’

The sudden halt to football – and cash flow – means West Ham face financial difficulties with reports and claims from a host of sources including ExWHUemployee, Football Insider, Football London and Claret & Hugh.

West Ham are not alone in that respect. Sky Sports reports that only three Premier League clubs will be able to spend money in the next window.

The threat that West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold will have to pay back around £30million in TV rights money should the campaign not be completed also looms large (The Sun).

But now UEFA boss Ceferin has moved to reassure supporters ‘there are options to finish cups and leagues’.

And he says the prospect of playing behind closed doors will only be for a ‘limited period’.

UEFA boss gives hope with new comments

The head of European football’s governing body spoke of his confidence that the 2019/20 season would be completed, despite an indefinite suspension of sport across the continent (Cadena Cope and Football Espana).

“The priority is the health of the fans, players and managers,” Ceferin told an interview with Corriere della Sera, as cited by Cadena Cope and translated by Football Espana.

“I am optimistic by nature, I think there are options to resume and finish the cups and leagues. We may have to play without spectators, but the most important thing is to play the games.

“At first it will be played behind closed doors, but it is better to play without spectators than not to play at all. Football would bring the fans emotions and joy that they desperately need, directly to their houses.

“These measures would only be for a limited period and little by little we will return to normal, to see stadiums full again, but there is no deadline.

“We are analysing all options, and there are options to finish cups and leagues.”

West Ham in limbo

West Ham are 16th with nine games to play. But David Moyes’s side are only out of the bottom three on goal difference.

But that almost becomes a side issue as finances dictate a club’s very existence.

Given Ceferin’s influential position within European football’s governing body his words carry a lot of weight.

So his words will give West Ham’s owners some comfort.

Hammers boss David Moyes has also been making his views clear the season resumption.

Read: David Moyes speaks out and lifts lid on his big West Ham concern over season resumption