DOHA: The Premier League is likely to return to action next month as the government published a planner that could see the return of elite sport in England from June 1.
“Our priority will always be the safety of players, coaches and managers, staff, supporters, and the wider community,” said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters
The sporting events would be allowed “to take place behind closed doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact”, said a government statement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he believed the return of sport on TV would “provide a much-needed boost to national morale.”
Supporters face a long wait to be allowed to attend matches, though, with the latest guidelines recognising a return to sport in front of a crowd “may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections”.
Premier League clubs had been planning for a return to action no earlier than the week beginning June 8.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters has said the 20 clubs are united in their desire to get the 2019/20 season back up and running and that players and managers will have an important role in that return.
“In today’s meeting, it was reiterated the Premier League and clubs absolutely recognise the COVID-19 pandemic puts football into context,” Masters told premierleague.com. “So many lives have been lost and so many others deeply affected.”
However, before the resumption several protocols now needed to be agreed on how to return to group training safely and on how the Premier League would deal with positive tests.
“We have protocols created and reviewed, we have a testing company appointed, but the important consultation with players and managers is the next step,” said Masters.
“No decisions will be made until after we have talked to players and managers and those meetings are scheduled for later this week.”
