Latest update on Coronavirus
As you will probably be aware, our usual monthly meeting with Fulham happened by conference call earlier this week because of sensible precautionary restrictions placed on use of Motspur Park given the coronavirus pandemic.
Unsurprisingly, much of the meeting was about the impact of the spread of the virus on football – the notes are available here. Games have now been suspended until at least April 4th. This prompts a whole series of practical questions likely to come from supporters. From our dialogue with the EFL and via the Football Supporters’ Association, we are aware of the general approach from football authorities – but some of the specifics are for individual clubs.
At our most recent meeting, we undertook to provide the Club with the types of questions we thought would arise in the event of behind closed doors fixtures, to help ensure FAQs and information coming from the Club is as helpful as possible. Obviously, they are not able to answer them until it is clear what will happen next – but we wanted to keep you informed of what we are asking on your behalf – so the follow-up questions we have sent in are as below.
Match streaming
We know that the EFL are working on a contingency to enable supporters to watch matches via a live stream, using iFollow – without charge for season ticket holders, or those who have paid for match tickets – and with a charge for those who do not hold match tickets. Fulham FC do not use iFollow, but have their own platform.
- Will the same facility be offered for supporters to watch a stream of games played behind closed doors?
- Is the capacity for FulhamTV able to cope with significant additional demand?
- Will the provider have additional customer service/support available for those who might be using for the first time?
- Games already selected for TV coverage (UK or international) – all of Fulham’s remaining fixtures in March – will they be available by stream?
- Will Fulham FC provide a clear explanation for new users of Fulham TV of the technical specification and broadband speed required for viewers to expect a good quality stream?
Ticket refunds
- Tickets purchased for home games on a match by match basis (potentially Brentford, Birmingham) – will they be refunded when the fixtures concerned are played behind closed doors?
- Tickets for away fixtures purchased via Fulham which are played behind closed doors (potentially Leeds, QPR) – will they be refunded via Fulham?
- Will ticket refunds include booking fees?
- Season ticket holders – will season ticket holders be given a refund for those games can’t attend or see streams off? Will that be by credit towards next season (as with seat exchange)
If you are not a member, please consider joining the Fulham Supporters Trust today.
