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The Premier League will try to persuade authorities to allow matches at home stadiums, the first of several obstacles the competition will try to remove after the government gave hope that football could return in June.
As Premier League chief executive Richard Masters spoke of the “push” behind the Restart Project and new medical protocols were being presented to the government, he had a feeling the top flight might finally be merging around an approach to the resumption . But after the fifth shareholder meeting since the game was suspended in March, plans remain incomplete and, for the first time, the possibility of shortening the season was openly discussed by the clubs.
On Monday, the government revealed its plans to ease the blockage of the coronavirus. They included the possible resumption of “cultural and sporting events” that could “take place behind closed doors for transmission, avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact.” This would not be before June 1 and would depend on complying with the five government tests to reduce the spread of the virus.
The Premier League learned of the plans just as their shareholder meeting was drawing to a close. The issue of playing matches in neutral venues and preventing crowds from gathering on the grounds was the biggest problem. The clubs in the last six were against neutrals, claiming that the absence of local advantage would distort competition and other clubs, Newcastle being one, were also against. At the meeting, it was decided that the idea could be revised.
“I think everyone would prefer to play at home and it would be if possible,” Masters said. “And I think it’s clear to see that some clubs feel firmer about it than others.” We have been talking to the authorities about the conditions under which we could re-launch the Premier League and take all those tips into account. But it is a continuous dialogue.
“I think some of our clubs argue that, regarding the monitoring of their own fans, they have a good relationship with them and are in a better position to control that.” But this has to be a mutual decision. “
Clubs are expected to have local discussions about the possibility of organizing games on their own grounds. It is one of several pieces of continuous work; The most important thing remains to agree on medical protocols for, in the first instance, the safe return of training.
The medical protocols have been worked out in conjunction with the club’s doctors, some of whom have expressed concern about the content, and were presented to club officials on Monday. The Association of League Managers and the Association of Professional Soccer Players were also informed and the protocols were presented to the government for approval, with the expectation that further amendments are still possible. For example, the league has yet to devise a protocol for practicing safe contact training. A meeting with the players will take place on Thursday, obtaining their consent from another major component to keep restart plans on track.
“Clubs are determined as part of the consultation process that [players’] Concerns and questions are heard. They will come later this week, ”Masters said. “We’re really just talking about protocols for returning to training. In isolation, it’s a great decision. But players need to be properly consulted.”
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When asked if it was possible for the players to veto the plans agreed by the clubs, Masters said: “We are not anticipating it and obviously what we are trying to do is create the safest possible environment for a return to formation. of players, managers, their coaches and the rest of the staff that needs to get involved. We believe that we are going to be able to create that safe environment. “
However, Masters admitted that the clubs had discussed the possibility of the season not ending and that the path to any match remained a difficult one.
“It was discussed for the first time, but the content of that discussion must remain confidential. What I can say is that all that was talked about was ending the season. No conclusions were reached on any other model. Those are future conversations that we may need to have. ”
The possible restart of the matches has long been linked in early June in discussions, but when asked if he thought these dates were still on the way to being met, Masters declined. “I really don’t want to make a prediction now,” he said. “There are many steps to follow, many obstacles to overcome before reaching that point. It is too early for us to talk about it.
“We want to keep up with the government and the authorities, and we want to follow the mood of football fans.” I think really the talk right now should be about the tentative steps that we’re taking now. ”
