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Dissenting Premier League clubs arguing against a quick return to football will urge a delay in the Restart Project, warning that moving forward with the plans now could cost lives.
As Premier League clubs meet via video conference Monday, some are concerned that they will be rushed to restart, which is inappropriate given that coronavirus deaths averaged nearly 500 a day in the UK last week.
The season is currently slated to restart on June 12, and the FA Cup Final will be the last game of the season on August 8. But Brighton Chief Executive Paul Barber said Sportsmail: ‘We have to be careful not to misstep here because if we do, it could ruin lives. It could cost lives. And we cannot afford that.
Dissident Premier League clubs have expressed concern and want to restart the project
Brighton Chief Executive Paul Barber warned that one misstep could end up costing lives
The clubs will also ask the Premier League to explore with the government the opportunity to abandon the neutral venue plan and instead use local and away from home grounds to end the season.
Clubs threatened by relegation, with the majority to lose, such as Brighton, Aston Villa and Watford, have voiced opposition to neutral venues and West Ham vice president Karren Brady said Saturday that the clubs were “understandably concerned” about the plan.
The Premier League is expected to reiterate that England’s police advice and Public Health guidance means that the Government will only allow football to restart in 10 approved neutral locations, so there is no other option at this time.
Clubs threatened by relegation like Aston Villa have voiced opposition to neutral locations
There is another meeting between the Premier League, the FA, the EFL, the England Department of Culture, Media & Sport and Public Health on Thursday.
Some clubs want the issue to arise there, despite the fact that the head of the UK Soccer Police Unit, Chief Police Deputy Mark Roberts, has told soccer executives to “control” and stop complaining from neutral places.
Monday’s Premier League shareholder meeting will see clubs vote on the technical issue of extending the contracts of players whose offers are due June 30 for a month and approving medical protocols for a restart, which have been developed. for the Premier League with the doctors of the club. and Public Health England.
It will be argued that a delay in restarting, when the coronavirus reproduction rate has further decreased, would be a safer environment for players to return to and would allow for the possibility of home and away gaming, which would lessen the downside of those in The drop zone.
On Monday, Premier League clubs will vote to decide whether players whose contracts run out on June 30, such as winger Chelsea Willian, can extend their current offers for a month.
A club owner said Sportsmail: “I am legally responsible for the health of all our employees, so we cannot take them out to play unless there is clarity about safety.”
But another club doctor said: ‘There is no risk. Everyone is reluctant to say that, but at some point it has to be said. ‘
Addressing the issue of neutral places, Brady wrote in his newspaper column: “ Clubs on the brink are understandably concerned with giving up their home edge, let alone playing without their 12th vital man – their supporters.
“The will to play is the essence of all clubs and players, but they want a level playing field.”
Scott Duxbury, President of Watford, wrote: ‘When at least six clubs and I suspect more are concerned about the clear downside and devastating effects of playing in this kind of distorted nine-game mini league, then I think the Premier League has a duty of care to address those concerns.
Clubs feel that the police are being simplistic by imposing neutral venues to discourage fans from showing up and breaking social distancing rules. But the Premier League will inform them that the authorities are insisting for neutral reasons not only for those fears but for health reasons, since it is easier to disinfect a limited number of lands and control them.
Watford President Scott Duxbury says league has a duty to address concerns
The clubs say it would be easier to control the messages and influence their fans on their own grounds. Barber also says that in these circumstances, it is important to have medical personnel familiar with the stadium in case of an emergency.
The May 25 deadline is when UEFA has insisted that the European leagues must have decided how they will solve the season.
The argument about relegation has been widely won, and no club is likely to pose that problem. It is understood that even clubs in the relegation zone will accept a restart that implies the fall, despite the enormous consequences that the descent could bring in the midst of an economic crisis.
There is also less talk of reduction now. Most clubs seem to accept that the Premier League will restart if the government gives permission and if there is no sudden second spike in infections in the next two weeks.
A lot will also depend on whether the Bundesliga starts next weekend, though news that Dynamo Dresden, a second-tier Bundesliga team, received the isolation order for 14 days after two players tested positive for COVID- 19 illustrates how precarious the situation is.
Most Premier League players have been told to show up for official preseason training on May 18, when they will train in groups of six with strict social distancing. If the government eases the blocking restrictions in the week beginning May 25, it is anticipated that full contact training would then resume.
There will also be increased scrutiny of the protocols, to be adopted for the training, which have been drafted to take into account questions from physicians. Once adopted, they will be made available to players and managers to see if they request changes.
Karren Brady revealed that West Ham players have already had their cardiac evaluation
How Sportsmail revealed last weekend, all players will be screened for respiratory problems and will undergo an EKG heart monitor test and a player who tests positive for COVID-19 will not result in the entire team having to isolate themselves.
Brady revealed Saturday that the West Ham players have already undergone a cardiac examination in preparation for a return to training.
Testing has already begun at many clubs, with a BUPA-owned testing company overseeing the operation, which will be paid for by the Premier League. If the Premier League starts on June 12, players will quarantine for a week before the first game, as Bundesliga players are doing before their league begins next weekend.
At most clubs this week, players will continue to train individually, although Liverpool and some clubs are allowing three players to enter their training fields at the same time, although they have to train individually.
Many players have been talked through key training protocols in preparation.
There is great concern among the players, some doctors and various clubs and it is clear that there is much work to be done to convince many that football can be resumed safely.
Some Premier League clubs fear that players may not want to play when the action resumes.
The clubs report that they fear that the players may not want to play. Players and all staff are required to sign the protocols to make sure they understand them, with the guidelines so precise that it includes details of exactly where they can park when they enter.
That has alarmed many players, but the clubs insist that they are only asked to sign because it is essential that they understand what is required of them to maintain security.
Insurance issues are also high on the agenda of clubs, medical staff and players. Questions are being asked about who would be responsible if the plan goes wrong and a player or family member develops severe symptoms, has to be in intensive care, or dies.
Responsibility could lie with the Premier League, the club, licensed venues, or medical personnel, if they have signed the protocols.
