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Premier League clubs could be allowed to complete the season on their own grounds after a change of heart by the authorities that would remove a major obstacle to restarting the project, Sportsmail can reveal.
It is understood that the positive talks chaired last night by the Department of Culture, Media and Sports involving the police, the Sports Fields Security Authority and representatives of the Premier League, FA and EFL broke with the government, reporting that the controversial issue whether the individual stadiums should be licensed to host matches would be a matter for the local police authorities.
Sportsmail can reveal that various police forces have no problem with matches being played in their original venues, as long as various security criteria can be met.
One of the main reasons the Premier League initially proposed completing the season at eight neutral venues was the fear that fans would flock to the crowd outside of games to play behind closed doors. While this remains a concern, several clubs have noted that it could also be a problem on neutral grounds.
However, Sportsmail has been told that as long as the clubs can provide guarantees to their local police, they will draw on sufficient administrative resources to ensure that the two-meter social distance guidelines are met, completing the season at home and out of home. not seen as an insurmountable obstacle.
If that were the case, and if the clubs were willing to pay the bill to pay for the required officials, it would be possible to play matches at their original venues.
Government sources insisted today that there was never a fixed opinion in Westminster on the need to organize all games in neutral locations, but there was undoubtedly a change of emphasis following a rebellion by several leading Premier League clubs on its shareholders meeting. Monday. .
As Sportsmail reported this morning, two-thirds of the clubs expressed strong reservations about the proposal, a significant increase from the six staunch rebels who initially opposed it, prompting the Premier League lobby government again last night.
This subtle change in position was reflected in a statement issued Tuesday by Deputy Police Chief Mark Roberts, the country’s top soccer police officer.
As recently as last week, Roberts had told those clubs that they were complaining about the loss of the home advantage to “control”, but was more diplomatic today, saying a range of options was still being explored.
In a statement, the Football Police Chief of the National Police Chiefs Council, Mr. Roberts, said: “ After a positive meeting between the police, government and football last night, we will jointly explore a range of options for identify a way forward, which minimizes any risk to public safety and unnecessary pressure on public services, but facilitates a sensible restart of the season, to support the economic and moral benefits associated with the sport. ‘
A change in position by the government would also have significant implications for Championship, which they hope to complete their campaign, but lack the resources to organize pending matches in neutral locations.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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