West Ham insist they will NOT play rest of season with running track around pitch despite planned athletics events
WEST HAM insist football comes first amid claims they face finishing the Premier League season with a running track around their pitch.
SunSport revealed exclusively how the London Legacy Development Corporation feels the club should consider waiving its tenancy rights to accommodate athletics in the summer.
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There is no firm date for the resumption of top level sport due to the coronavirus pandemic but the Anniversary Games are set for July 4 and 5 – which may clash with the delayed football season.
That would mean removing thousands of temporary seats which normally cover the running track and would significantly reduce the London Stadium’s 60,000 capacity.
A West Ham spokesperson said: “West Ham United will make every effort to assist the LLDC in their quest to stage other events, but we cannot compromise when it comes to playing our fixtures.
“As and when the Premier League resumes the season, the London Stadium will be configured for football matches.
“Our contract with the Stadium requires E20 to provide the Stadium configured for football if the football season is extended.
“It also requires them to work with UK Athletics and others to reschedule their meetings so that there is no clash with West Ham’s fixtures.
“We have had written confirmation that E20 will comply with the terms of our contract and all of our remaining matches will be played in a football stadium.
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“We understand that there are other uses of our home ground, but these fit around our fixture list.”
The LLDC part-owns West Ham’s ground which was originally built for the 2012 Olympic Games.
The body has suggested West Ham should compromise as a result of the pandemic and adjust seating plans so that both football and athletics can be staged.
An LLDC spokesperson said: “These are unprecedented circumstances and we will work closely with all those holding events, including the club, over the coming weeks to manage the issues.
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“Whilst West Ham do have a priority use for football there is also a clear obligation to work collaboratively to avoid date conflicts with other events and, if necessary, play their games with the seating and track set up for athletics.”
All football in England has been suspended until April 30 at the earliest.
West Ham still have four home matches of the campaign still to play.