Chairman of Sunderland's League One rivals Accrington Stanley calls for EFL to pause season amid coronavirus concerns

Holt has called for the authorities to ‘take the lead’ and argues there is ‘no case for continuing increasing risks with gatherings of millions of supporters, decent folk.’

The EFL - who last week scrapped the pre-match handshakes including at the Sunderland v Gillingham game at the Stadium of Light - added in a statement that they remain in ‘regular dialogue’ with the government over potential developments.

Last week health secretary Matt Hancock said he could not rule out the possibility of football matches being played behind-closed-doors at some stage, but added that it was something the government were keen to avoid.

There have been more than 90,000 cases of the virus in 87 countries and three people have died in the UK.

Posting on Twitter on Monday morning, Holt wrote: “If I had my way the @EFL would pause the season in response to #COVID2019

“The games can be caught up nearer summer when we know better how bad this filthy, horrible virus affects the UK.

“There is no case for continuing increasing risks with gatherings of millions of supporters, decent folk.

“I’d take the lead here. I would not wait for others to decide.

“My mates in Italy all say their government acted too late.

“There will be a cost to clubs, but not nearly enough to take the risk.

“And I’m not in a state of panic.

As Henry Ford once said ‘why have risk where you don’t need any?’”.

Holt added: “The @EFL could easily borrow cash against future tv income to help clubs bridge the gap. WE SHOULD NOT BE GAMING THIS virus.

“One life lost is too many and I don’t care how old or infirm the person is.

It’s time for something. I’ve never seen in the @EFL STRONG LEADERSHIP

“Time to get the tanks on the lawn.

“Older people don’t deserve to die.

“I’m sick of hearing ‘but he (or she) was old and had pre-existing conditions’

“OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS MATTER.”