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A four-hour Premier League meeting to decide how football can return amid the coronavirus pandemic that took place today has ended with the clubs reaffirming their commitment to end the current campaign.
According to the Sun, it was also agreed during the meeting that the parties, when they can be held, will be held on neutral grounds, away from urban areas across the country.
The games are almost certain to take place behind closed doors for the foreseeable future as part of the league’s ‘project restart’ plan to resume the game, subject to government approval.
Premier League bosses are determined to complete 2019-20 season after postponement
The last games of the Premier League were played on March 9 due to a coronavirus pandemic
West Ham’s London Stadium, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium have all been discussed as potential venues once football resumes.
A league statement said: “ At a Premier League shareholder meeting today, the clubs discussed possible steps to plan the resumption of the 2019/20 season, when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
It was reiterated that everyone’s thoughts are with those directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Premier League’s priority is the health and safety of players, coaches, managers, club staff, supporters, and the community at large.
‘The League and clubs are considering tentative first steps forward and will only train and play again with the guidance of the Government, under expert medical advice and after consultation with players and coaches. The League welcomed the creation of the Government’s medical task force for the return of elite sport, which met for the first time this morning.
“No decisions were made at today’s shareholders meeting and the clubs exchanged views on the information provided about the project restart.” It was agreed that the PFA, LMA, players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted. ‘
The league frantically tries to agree on the rules and regulations for the league’s return.
The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finish the 2019/20 season, maintaining the integrity of the competition and thanked the Government for its support.
European leagues such as France’s Ligue 1 and the Dutch Eredivisie have ended their respective campaigns amid the crisis, however the Premier League is focused on completing the current season to avoid any legal problems, subject to government approval.
Last night, Lyon issued a statement insisting that they could act after Ligue 1 came to an end and Paris Saint-Germain was named champion.
A league statement is expected shortly, and officials will meet again next week to discuss more details of the plan to start playing soccer once again.
They will meet again next Friday after the government’s own announcement, which is expected to detail how the current closure restrictions in the UK will be eased.
The Premier League will present its plan to the Government, led by Boris Johnson (pictured)
There is another stakeholder meeting now scheduled for May 18.
Almost two months have passed since the last Premier League game after the season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The main objective of today’s meeting was for the league and clubs to agree on the rules and regulations upon their return for training and, ultimately, matches that are played behind closed doors, despite the changing state of the global pandemic.
The league will present the plan to the government for approval later on Friday after all the details are settled.
Special guidelines will be established to keep players and staff safe in training.
The government is eager to get football back on track as a boost to the nation’s morale during the shutdown, but the delay could last a bit longer, as the UK recently became the nation with the third highest coronavirus death rate. highest in the world.
Some of the guidelines that are expected to be implemented include players wearing a mask or hairnet at all times and training in groups of no more than five, staff with PPE equipment and disinfection of balls, corner flags and goal posts.
In addition, players and staff must also park their cars at least three spaces apart when they arrive at training and massages will not be allowed unless approved by a club doctor.
All club staff, including managers and coaches, will also be prohibited from spitting on the training ground to minimize the chance of spreading the coronavirus.
The clubs hope to resume group training on May 18 and have withdrawn players from abroad.
A firm plan for the return of football could be voted on to implement these plans on Thursday, May 7, according to The times.
Premier League clubs have been frantically trying to plan a comeback, and the league has been informing them of a planned restart in the week beginning June 8. The clubs aim to return to group training on May 18 and have already been advised to withdraw. Players who went abroad after the season were on hold.
Players who ventured abroad must quarantine for two weeks before they can join their teammates.
