Middlesbrough's suspension of season ticket sales highlights football's coronavirus uncertainties

The Championship club have decided not to sell any more season cards while they await clarity about how many fans will be allowed into the Riverside once games are open to spectators again, which is due to be in October.

Boro have sold almost 6,000 and do not want to be in a position where some were denied entry.

In normal times summer season ticket sales are an important source of income to clubs but it is even more so this year with no matchday revenue since March because of the covid-19 pandemic.

The Riverside has not hosted a crowd since the visit of Nottingham Forest on March 2, and when the 2020-21 season kicks off on September 12, it will do so behind closed doors.

Under different circumstances Boro would be looking to cash in on the feelgood factor of escaping relegation and the news that manager Neil Warnock is to stay on for next season by building up cash reserves from season-ticket sales. The Teeside Gazette report that Boro, who launched early bird tickets in February, before the lockdown, were hoping to sell around 12,000.

But if fans are allowed back as planed in October, it will be in limited numbers and there will be no set figure, depending on the configuration of grounds.

A draft document from the Sports Ground Safety Authority has suggested capacities will be limited to 17 to 33 per cent, dropping the Riverside's pre-pandemic capacity of 34,742 to anything from 5,906 to 11,580. As a modern stadium away from housing, Boro could expect to be nearer the top end of that scale but it still shows the need for caution.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to delay further pilots of crowds inside sports grounds in early August has further muddied the waters.

Hull City, relegated to League One, have taken the decision to resume membership payments in August. They have been suspended since May because of the uncertainty.

Members have been promised priority in restricted post-covid capacities, and compensation such as access to free match streaming or more payment holidays if the progress of the virus prevents the Government reaching its October target to allow fans back in.

Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani has predicted the pandemic will cost his club £30m-40m whilst Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has estimated around £20m-30m at Bramall Lane.

The much shorter than usual pre-season caused by the delays in completing the 2019-20 campaign has only compounded the uncertainties.

When the transfer window opened on Monday most of Yorkshire's league clubs knew which division they will be in next season, but Barnsley are awaiting the outcome of Wigan Athletic's appeal against a 12-point deduction for confirmation they will play in next season's Championship. The Reds finished outside the relegation zone but if the Latics overturn their punishment, will drop into the bottom three.

The case, in which Barnsley will be allowed to make representations, is being heard on July 31, with a verdict expected in the middle of the following week.

Sheffield Wednesday still do not know when they will discover their fate after their misconduct hearing last month over the sale and lease back of Hillsborough.

A deduction of nine points (or eight if Wigan's appeal is successful) would send them down. The charge carries a maximum deduction of 21 points for an aggravated offence.

Either the Owls, who rigorously deny wrongdoing, or the Football League could appeal the independent commission's verdict.

Harrogate Town play Notts County in Sunday's Conference play-off final with promotion to the Football League on the line. Achieving it would mean the Sulphurites had to pull up their artificial playing surface to meet league requirements, but as it is an important source of revenue, they will keep it in place if the Magpies come out on top at Wembley.

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