Premier League return
Premier League clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019-20 season amid the coronavirus pandemic at a shareholders’ meeting.
- Proposed June 8 start
- Players to be tested twice a week for Covid-19
- Training grounds to operate social distancing policy
- Players to arrive at training in kit, wear masks & not eat or shower on the premises
- All equipment being used, including football, corner flags and goalposts to be disinfected before and after use by staff wearing personal protective equipment.
- Players to wear masks or facial covering such as snoods at all times
- Training in small groups only with their own time slots for arrival and warm-up
- Cars parked a safe distance apart
- A ban on spitting by players and staff
The professional game in England having been suspended since March 13.
The league stressed that any return to training and match action would only happen if the Government gave the go-ahead.
“The league and clubs are considering the first tentative moves forward and will only return to training and playing with Government guidance, under expert medical advice and after consultation with players and managers. The league welcomed the creation of the Government medical working group for a return of elite sport, which met for the first time this morning. No decisions were taken at today’s shareholders’ meeting and clubs exchanged views on the information provided regarding Project Restart. It was agreed that the PFA, LMA, players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted. The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019/20 season, maintaining integrity of the competition and welcomed the Government’s support.”
France have ended their season and declared PSG champions, the Netherland have ended their season and decided against splitting Ajax and AZ Alkmaar who were level on points at the top – awarding no title this season.
The Premier League want to try and complete the season and that is their and have a May 25 deadline to submit their plans to UEFA.
The clubs have been told the remaining matches of the 2019-20 season must be played at neutral venues. There is no possibility that it can now finish on a home-and-away basis for safety reasons.
Clubs are expected to vote on the key principles of ‘Project Restart’ some time after May 7.