Is it the right decision to restart the Premier League season on 17th June?

[MenInG]

At the face of it this is what us fans want but spare a thought about the ramifications - could this result in new infections? Could it harm players?

==


The Premier League is set to restart on 17 June with Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal, subject to government approval.

A full round of fixtures would then be played on the weekend of 19-21 June.

There are 92 matches still to play, and the first to take place will be those the four teams involved have in hand.

All matches will take place behind closed doors and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport or Amazon Prime.

BBC Sport will air four live matches.

"The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters," Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said.

"It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home."

Liverpool set to be champions - but what's still up for grabs?

Safety guidelines are yet to be issued by the government and decisions will remain subject to the continuing fight against coronavirus.

Kick-off times will be as follows (all times BST):

Friday: 20:00
Saturday: 12:30, 15:00, 17:30 and 20:00
Sunday: 12:00, 14:00, 16:30 and 19:00
Monday: 20:00
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 18:00 and 20:00

Masters added that the resumption date would not be confirmed "until we have met all the safety requirements needed".

What is the background?

The Premier League was suspended on 13 March because of the pandemic and it will be 100 days after Leicester City's 4-0 win over Aston Villa on 9 March that competition will - prospectively - resume.

Manchester City v Arsenal was already scheduled to be shown on Sky Sports, while Aston Villa v Sheffield United was not listed for live coverage when selections were announced in February.

Home and away matches look most likely for the vast majority of games - with a few high-profile games at neutral venues at the request of the police.

A number of clubs have expressed their opposition to the concept of using neutral grounds, including Brighton, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

On Wednesday, clubs unanimously voted to resume contact training, having started non-contact training last week.

So far 12 people have tested positive for coronavirus after 2,752 tests across the league.

Premier League players and staff will continue to be tested twice a week, with the capacity increased from 50 to 60 tests per club for the fourth round of testing.

Any players or staff to test positive must self-isolate for a period of seven days.

Plans for the third phase of Project Restart include a step towards normal training and build-up to competitive games.

Liverpool currently sit 25 points clear at the top of the table while Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich City are in the relegation places.

The Reds, chasing a first league title in 30 years, could clinch it with victory in their first game back should second-placed Manchester City lose to Arsenal.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52833725

 

[The Viper]

I don't think its right to restart the season. Whilst the Bundesliga has successfully restarted, the Coronavirus situation was much more serious in the UK. There was news that four players tested positive just yesterday and they were from the teams at the bottom. Its not fair that some teams will be without their best players. For example, Chelsea will mostly likely be without Ngolo Kante whilst Watford will most likely miss their captain, Troy Deeney. There will most likely be more players who decide to not play aswell. With relegation and European spots at stake, this is very unfair.

Another aspect is the empty stadiums negate the home advantage as there is no home crowd; this is something the relegation threatened teams rely on to help them in those crucial games at the end of the season. Look at the Bundesliga results recently - more away teams are winning, which means there is no home advantage anymore. It is going to be really rough for those teams that do get relegated, especially in these circumstances. I know there are financial and legal reasons to restart the season, but i still don't think its right.

 

[MenInG]

Blackburn midfielder Elliott Bennett and two unnamed Fulham players have tested positive for coronavirus.

Bennett, 31, is asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects. Blackburn have confirmed Bennett will now self-isolate at home for the next seven days and provided he develops no symptoms, will return to training with his Rovers team-mates on Friday June 5.

Blackburn have also confirmed the players and coaching staff who were in the same group as Bennett for Monday's small group training session have subsequently been re-tested and have again provided negative results.

In a statement, Bennett said: "I feel fit and healthy. Hopefully this sends out a positive message to the community that perhaps many people have or have had the virus without showing any effects.

"I obviously would never have known if we hadn't returned to training and taken the tests, because I don't feel unwell and have got no symptoms whatsoever.

"There seems to have been a lot of hysteria about footballers returning to training, but it's not a big deal at all. It's the people who are seriously ill in hospital that we need to worry about, not footballers who are fit and healthy, and who aren't showing any signs of being unwell."

In their latest round of testing, the EFL says 1,030 players and club staff were tested over the course of Monday 25, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May.

Two individuals from Hull tested positive following the first round of coronavirus testing in the Championship, but the club confirmed none of their players or staff were included in the three new positive tests.

Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities.

In a statement, Fulham said: "After the second round of league-wide testing for COVID-19 completed by Fulham FC players and staff this week at the Club's training facility, we can confirm that two players have tested positive for Coronavirus.

"Both players, who shall remain unnamed due to medical confidentiality, are now self-isolating in line with league and government guidance."

The EFL outlined last Friday they would adopt a "flexible approach" in their finalised Return to Training Protocols (RTT), including the option for players to self-test for coronavirus.

Players and staff will be required to complete a daily medical questionnaire submitted before arrival at the training ground on training days, with access denied if this is not submitted before arrival.

The Premier League revealed four more people had tested positive after their third round of coronavirus testing on Monday and Tuesday.

There is currently no testing programme for League One clubs, with their season set to be decided on unweighted points-per-game.

League Two clubs have already "unanimously indicated" they wish to end their season, but the EFL board has described maintaining relegation as "integral" to preserving the competition's "integrity".

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-fulham-players-test-positive-for-coronavirus

 

[Rana]

This can restart but cricket is dangerous!

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

Premier League football in June.
Should be interesting.
Good news for football fans.

 

[Firebat]

Liverpool's title wait set to end at neutral venue

Liverpool's long wait for a Premier League title could come to an end when the English top-flight resumes next month - but not at their Anfield home.

With the Premier League moving closer to a return on 17 June, the Reds look set to clinch their first league title in 30 years.

All Premier League matches will take place behind closed doors.

But a title-clinching game for Liverpool is one of six which the police would look to move to a neutral venue for safety reasons.

 

[Firebat]

"The majority of remaining matches will be played, at home and away as scheduled, with a small number of fixtures taking place at neutral venues."

 

[Firebat]

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he had coronavirus shortly after the Premier League season was suspended.

 

[MenInG]

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The Premier League, which will resume on June 17, says its aim is for the remaining games to be played on the usual home and away basis but that they have a contingency plan for neutral venues.

The initial suggestion from the UK government had been for the closed-door matches to be played at neutral venues but some clubs have expressed opposition to that idea — views that have been put to the government by the league.

Some media reports have suggested that select games which may have a risk of fans gathering outside grounds, such as the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool, would still be held at a neutral venue even if most matches are held on a home/away basis.

“The Premier League’s ambition is to complete all of our remaining fixtures this season home and away, where possible,” the league said in a statement on Friday.

“We are working with our clubs to ensure risks are assessed and minimised, while co-operating with the police at a local and national level.

“Discussions with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and UK Football Policing Unit have been positive and are continuing. We are prepared for all outcomes and have a neutral venue contingency,” the statement concluded.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters told Sky Sports News: “We’ll have a clearer picture in the next seven to 10 days but we hope the amount of games (at neutral grounds) will be low.”

“...(the police) have legitimate concerns but we think we can mitigate some of the issues they’re trying to deal with.

“Ultimately, we want the season to be played out on the pitch and we’re discussing a number of options to make it as fair as possible.”

The Premier League was suspended on March 13 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic but teams returned to small group training last week and on Wednesday voted unanimously to return to contact training, including tackling.

 

[The Viper]

Coronavirus: Emile Heskey calls for extra precautions to be taken with BAME footballers returning to competition

Former England footballer Emile Heskey is calling for extra precautions to be taken with BAME players as football returns to our screens on 17 June.

While the overwhelming feeling among footballers will be happiness, the former England, Liverpool and Leicester striker believes all footballers will still feel nervous about going back to competition.

And given how coronavirus has disproportionately affected those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, Heskey says these players have even more reason to feel worried.

"Every player will be nervous with what's going on and people dying. I know friends who have had family members pass away so they'll be worried and extra cautious," he said.

"It should be the norm that if I'm more susceptible to something that you focus a little bit more on me than you and just keep an eye on me.

"I'm guessing the players have had some reassurance from the clubs, the FA, the Premier League and from the government as well that they are doing their utmost to look into it and to really give some insight into why it's happening and what they can do to help mitigate that."

He added: "It's important to remember that they are human beings. They do have families, parents, kids, brothers, sisters and no one wants to see them being pushed into a place where they don't feel comfortable."

Earlier this week, Sky News revealed the NHS is using a risk assessment tool and scoring chart for employers to use on their Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

Heskey, who has 62 England caps and whose autobiography Even Heskey Scored is in the running for the Daily Telegraph Sports Book for the Year, says he personally would have been happier to isolate with the rest of his team for the remainder of the season.

"I thought that was the remit and it makes sense that you could isolate in a hotel or at some training grounds," he said.

"You could all isolate in one place and at the end of the season go back to your families knowing you've been tested and everything is fine."

There is also the question of where certain matches will be played.

With the Merseyside derby taking place on the first weekend of the restart and Liverpool fans so close to seeing their side win the league for the first time in three decades, Heskey says it will be a headache for authorities wherever they decide to play it.

"It's going to be a tough ask for any stadium and police and security to keep fans away," he said.

"I think that's why they are talking about playing it at a neutral venue. You've got fans who will travel to Anfield if it's played there just to be in the vicinity of the stadium.

"It could be played at Wembley down in London but you'd get Liverpool fans there as well - it's a tough one to police to be honest with you."

With all matches happening behind closed doors, he feels sorry for not just Liverpool fans who may feel cheated of their big moment when the Premier League title is won, but fans everywhere and the players.

He said: "It's why they do it. They go out to entertain to give that love back to fans and they're not going to be able to do that."

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...footballers-returning-to-competition-11997197

 

[MenInG]

Neutral grounds for football matches?

Up next is Ian Herbert from the Mail on Sunday. He cites police concerns over at least six Premier League games that might present public health concerns and require neutral venues, and asks Oliver Dowden if fans and venues should accept the idea of neutral venues in light of these concerns.

Oliver Dowden says the "short answer is yes" and reiterates the new guidelines which are for elite domestic sports to resume behind closed doors in a safe way, saying it is for "individual sports" to apply those guidelines "and determine the way in which they do so".

He says there is a "well-established mechanism" through the local safety authority which brings together local authorities and police to determine whether it is appropriate to have a match.

 

[Bewal Express]

Coronavirus: Emile Heskey calls for extra precautions to be taken with BAME footballers returning to competition

Former England footballer Emile Heskey is calling for extra precautions to be taken with BAME players as football returns to our screens on 17 June.

While the overwhelming feeling among footballers will be happiness, the former England, Liverpool and Leicester striker believes all footballers will still feel nervous about going back to competition.

And given how coronavirus has disproportionately affected those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, Heskey says these players have even more reason to feel worried.

"Every player will be nervous with what's going on and people dying. I know friends who have had family members pass away so they'll be worried and extra cautious," he said.

"It should be the norm that if I'm more susceptible to something that you focus a little bit more on me than you and just keep an eye on me.

"I'm guessing the players have had some reassurance from the clubs, the FA, the Premier League and from the government as well that they are doing their utmost to look into it and to really give some insight into why it's happening and what they can do to help mitigate that."

He added: "It's important to remember that they are human beings. They do have families, parents, kids, brothers, sisters and no one wants to see them being pushed into a place where they don't feel comfortable."

Earlier this week, Sky News revealed the NHS is using a risk assessment tool and scoring chart for employers to use on their Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

Heskey, who has 62 England caps and whose autobiography Even Heskey Scored is in the running for the Daily Telegraph Sports Book for the Year, says he personally would have been happier to isolate with the rest of his team for the remainder of the season.

"I thought that was the remit and it makes sense that you could isolate in a hotel or at some training grounds," he said.

"You could all isolate in one place and at the end of the season go back to your families knowing you've been tested and everything is fine."

There is also the question of where certain matches will be played.

With the Merseyside derby taking place on the first weekend of the restart and Liverpool fans so close to seeing their side win the league for the first time in three decades, Heskey says it will be a headache for authorities wherever they decide to play it.

"It's going to be a tough ask for any stadium and police and security to keep fans away," he said.

"I think that's why they are talking about playing it at a neutral venue. You've got fans who will travel to Anfield if it's played there just to be in the vicinity of the stadium.

"It could be played at Wembley down in London but you'd get Liverpool fans there as well - it's a tough one to police to be honest with you."

With all matches happening behind closed doors, he feels sorry for not just Liverpool fans who may feel cheated of their big moment when the Premier League title is won, but fans everywhere and the players.

He said: "It's why they do it. They go out to entertain to give that love back to fans and they're not going to be able to do that."

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...footballers-returning-to-competition-11997197

Maybe Emile can ask the BAME players why they broke the lockdown rules of they so at risk. Kylie Walker even had hookers in during the lockdown.

 

[Firebat]

Premier League return financially driven - Tyrone Mings

England football international Tyrone Mings says the players were the "last people to be consulted" over the Premier League's 'Project Restart'.

The UK government says sport can return behind closed doors from Monday.

With no positive results in the most recent batch of coronavirus tests at Premier League clubs, the English top flight is set to resume on 17 June.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mings said players were "commodities in the game". The Aston Villa defender added: "The motives are possibly 100% financially driven rather than integrity driven. I think everybody accepts that.

"I am all for playing again because we have no other choice. As players, we were the last people to be consulted about Project Restart and that is because of where we fall in football's order of priority."

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Might see lots of reserves and youngsters playing
The only interesting games will be to see who goes to the championship

 

[Firebat]

Feel a bit bad for those teams fighting relegation, home fans are usually very useful at these times for them. Still, just excited for football to return.

 

[Hasan123]

Should have voided if I'm honest but now it's back, the clubs need to ensure they do everything to keep players safe.

 

[RickyG]

The answer to this question depends entirely on who you support. People who support the bottom placed clubs or Man United/City/Arsenal/Spurs will argue that the league should be voided. In their heads they imagine relegation will be cancelled and their rival Liverpool won't receive a well deserved trophy.

They're ignorant to the fact that many of these clubs will also hurt financially from the TV money they will have to refund. Also seemingly turn a blind eye to the fact that they're asking teams like Leeds and WBA to forego promotion and a 100m pounds. It's a stupid, self-serving and short-sighted. In fact, voiding the league is actually the stupidest of all the options.

As for restarting the season, I think this may be the most viable option. They seem to be taking all the possible precautions in safeguarding players healths. It's also the only option that saves the clubs over 300m pounds and compromises least on the integrity of the competition. Restarting is also the only way to avoid legal complications. All clubs will have an opportunity to finish where they would like to finish.

People are arguing that they feel bad for certain clubs, I don't. All clubs are literally in the same situation and if the season is finished then all clubs will have played 38 games. What are you going to complain about? The 2 month break? Well your competitors also had to deal with a 2 month break.

Now if this doesn't work, you can fall-back on a weighted ppg system and accept defeat. But at least you can say you gave it a try.

Plus if you can get through the remaining 23% of the season that should give you a better idea of how to start next year's season.

 

[RickyG]

Premier League return financially driven - Tyrone Mings

England football international Tyrone Mings says the players were the "last people to be consulted" over the Premier League's 'Project Restart'.

The UK government says sport can return behind closed doors from Monday.

With no positive results in the most recent batch of coronavirus tests at Premier League clubs, the English top flight is set to resume on 17 June.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mings said players were "commodities in the game". The Aston Villa defender added: "The motives are possibly 100% financially driven rather than integrity driven. I think everybody accepts that.

"I am all for playing again because we have no other choice. As players, we were the last people to be consulted about Project Restart and that is because of where we fall in football's order of priority."

Obviously he will argue against the restart considering Villa's league position. I don't blame him because they've only just returned to the premier league and now they're on the brink of relegation again.

However, the statement is also extremely entitled. This is like me telling my workplace to stay closed for business but continue paying my (relatively high) wages. These businesses are also prioritizing player safety as well as they can.

It's amazing how contrasting the statements have been from different players based on where their clubs are. Literally every relegation threatened player has opposed restart.

 

[The Viper]

Premier League clubs set for friendlies after being given go-ahead

The Premier League has given clubs permission to play friendly matches, with strict restrictions, before the restart on 17 June.

Top-flight sides made requests to face other teams in preparation for the league's return, which was accepted, according to the Telegraph.

Premier League leaders Liverpool held an 11-a-side game in training at Anfield on Monday.

Friendlies can be played at either stadiums or training grounds.

However, the Premier League has outlined a number of conditions such as negative Covid-19 tests being returned by players involved.

Measures have also been put in place ensure hygiene and social distancing rules are adhered to which include:

Clubs being forbidden from travelling for further than 90 minutes, though teams like Newcastle will be granted special dispensation if they have to travel further.

All players must travel in their own cars, possibly in their kits.

No official referees will be allowed, with members of coaching staff taking charge.

Full risk-assessments of the stadium/training ground before games.

Championship clubs have reportedly already been approached about games and BBC Sport understands that the EFL will issue guidance to clubs on this later in the week.

Upon the resumption, some games could take place at neutral venues and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told BBC Radio 5 Live he "would love" to play their home games at Anfield.

"We will not have the help from the crowd but no team will have that so where is the advantage? Whoever we play it is the same situation which is why I'm not too worried about it," said Klopp.

"We have tried to simulate the situation by training in the stadium and getting used to it."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52896129

 

[MenInG]

The Premier League has confirmed that there was one positive case from the latest round of COVID-19 testing.

 

[MenInG]

Five substitutions will be allowed in games when the Premier League resumes later this month

 

[MenInG]

Five substitutions will be allowed in games when the Premier League resumes later this month

Premier League teams will be able to make five substitutions, rather than three, in each match to the end of the season after clubs approved new rules.

Teams will also be able to name nine substitutes instead of the usual seven.

Football's international law-makers gave competitions the option of increasing substitutes to protect player welfare on the sport's resumption.

Premier League football will return on 17 June after a three-month absence.

An announcement of the first few rounds of fixtures since the campaign was halted by coronavirus on 13 March is expected in the next 24 hours.

Though teams can now make five substitutions, each will only have three opportunities to make changes throughout the match in order to minimise disruption to the game.

Clubs have also agreed in principle to the use of neutral venues if required, although the vast majority of matches are expected to be played in their usual grounds, barring local spikes in coronavirus cases.

A draft document detailing the extensive biosecurity measures required for each match has been circulated. It is believed the number of people in the stadium while each match is being played will be limited to about 300.

How to end the season, decide the league positions and the possible consequences should it prove impossible to play the remaining matches was discussed at a meeting of clubs, but any decision was delayed to concentrate on the return of action.

The International Football Association Board said in May that the temporary changes to substitutions had been made for interrupted 2019-20 competitions as "matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare".

Concerns had been raised about the reduced preparation time that players have had before the season's resumption with Premier League teams only returning to contact training at the end of May.

Newcastle club doctor Paul Catterson told BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday that he was expecting more injuries as the intensity of training increased.

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[The Viper]

Artificial crowd noise available to UK viewers after use in Bundesliga

When the Premier League returns on 17 June, television viewers will have the option to switch on artificial crowd noise during matches.

With games being played behind closed doors because of coronavirus, clubs, leagues and broadcasters are seeking the best way to showcase matches and mitigate the loss of spectators from stadiums.

In South Korea's K League, crowd sounds were played over stadium loudspeakers when its season started last month.

On Saturday UK viewers of BT Sport's Bundesliga coverage could hear artificial crowd noise as they watched matches featuring Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

How it works is quite clever - an "audio carpet" for the basic noise is taken from the previous meeting and it is mixed with the real noise of the game. Reaction samples for scenarios such as penalties, fouls and decisions from VAR are created and "inserted" by a watching producer.

Sky Sports and BT Sport will both use the artificial crowd noise when the Premier League returns, with viewers also being given the option of switching it off.

But does it improve the viewing experience?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52950715

 

[MenInG]

Premier League clubs have been holding inter-squad friendlies as they continue their preparation for the league's restart this month.

The English top-flight has been suspended since 13 March but will return on 17 June with an action-packed schedule.

To prepare, clubs have been playing matches amongst themselves or against lower-league opposition at their empty stadiums over recent days.

Rugby union is another sport trying to map out how it will look after the coronavirus pandemic.

The RFU is seeking clarity on whether the physical distancing rule can be reduced from two metres to one so they can admit 40,000 fans into Twickenham Stadium for the November internationals. That would still be well below Twickenham's 82,000 capacity.

 

[MenInG]

Premier League clubs face a £1bn reduction in their revenues in 2019-20 because of the coronavirus pandemic, says financial services firm Deloitte.

The 20 English top-flight clubs had a combined revenue of more than £5bn for the first time in 2018-19.

But this season has been on hold since March, and the 92 remaining matches will be held behind closed doors.

And Deloitte's Dan Jones expects "significant revenue reduction and operating losses" in European football.

Deloitte says £500m of the reduction for Premier League clubs - in rebates to broadcasters and a loss of matchday revenue - will be "permanently lost", with the remainder "deferred" until 2020-21 if this season and next are completed.

Manchester United said last month that the pandemic had already cost them £28m - but they expect the final figure to be far higher.

Key findings from Deloitte's annual review of football finance

The Premier League clubs' revenues rose to £5.2bn in 2018-19 - up 7% on the previous year.
The 'big five' European leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France) generated a record £15bn in revenue - up 9%.
Premier League clubs' aggregate operating profits fell 5% to £824m.
The 92 Premier League and Football League clubs generated a record £6.2bn in revenue, and contributed £2.3bn in taxes to HMRC (2017-18: £2.1bn).
Premier League clubs made combined pre-tax losses of £165m.

All three divisions of the English Football League - the Championship, League One and League Two - achieved record revenues in 2018-19, topping a combined £1bn for the first time.

But Championship clubs lost a combined £300m, with a ratio of players' wages to turnover of 107%.

Deloitte believes teams in the division should work to a salary cap of 70% of revenue to ensure their survival.

Jones said: "You've got 107% of revenue going out on wages. You can see the problem looming.

"A salary cap is a blunt instrument, but if you can only spend 70% of revenue on salary, and applied that in 2018-19, you take £300m out of the wage bill and wipe out the losses."

Bury - then in League One - were expelled by the EFL in August after a takeover bid collapsed, but Jones says Leagues One and Two were "systemically in a better place than 10 years previously" prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Both divisions' regular seasons have been brought to an early conclusion, with the positions decided on a points-per-match basis, although the promotion play-offs could still take place.

An EFL spokesman said: "The EFL has been consulting with its member clubs for some time regarding potential changes to financial and sustainability regulations with the aim of improving the current position in all three divisions.

"These discussions, which commenced prior to the Covid-19 outbreak and have continued throughout the crisis, have included reviews of the divisional cost controls currently in place and the potential introduction of new measures such as salary caps and squad size limits. Discussions with clubs remain ongoing."

More findings from Deloitte's annual review of football finance

The 72 Football League clubs earned revenues of over £1bn for the first time.
Championship clubs generated record combined revenues of £785m in 2018-19 - a 5% increase from 2017-18.
The wages/revenue ratio of English Championship clubs increased to a record 107%.
League One clubs had their highest aggregate revenues (£191m) and League Two matched its previous record (£91m).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52999782

 

[Firebat]

Premier League agrees matchday protocols ahead of June 17 restart

Premier League matchday protocols on player health and safety have been unanimously approved by all 20 clubs, clearing the final hurdle ahead of the season resuming on June 17.

The protocols cover every aspect of on-pitch conduct and operations within stadia, with a strictly limited number of personnel permitted inside and outside the venue.

As it stands the only game which could be played at a neutral venue in the first three full rounds of fixtures is Manchester City's match against league leaders Liverpool on July 2.

Manchester City Council's safety advisory group must meet to make a decision regarding that fixture.

On Wednesday, Liverpool City Council's Ground Safety Advisory Group gave the go-ahead for Goodison Park and Anfield to stage matches, including the Merseyside derby on June 21, for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

The latest shareholders meeting on Thursday saw clubs vote on a range of medical and operation measures, including the number of backroom staff allowed to attend away games.

Total numbers at grounds on matchday, including broadcast staff, written media, commentators, doping officials and scouts, will total 300.

The Premier League has wanted to cut essential staff present at grounds on matchday to just 37 'Red Zone' pass holders per team, including 20 players, 12 coaching and medical staff and a further five '"essential staff".

Staff not needed pitch-side, such as analysts will be allowed in the 'Amber Zone', with all others, e.g. security, big screen operators and parking staff in the 'Green Zone'.

Agreement has already been reached on how teams travel including allowing squads to travel to games by air.

Players will maintain social distancing on flights, with the reduced travel times helping to minimise the risk of infection.

The Premier League has emphasised that wherever possible, teams should travel on the day of the game - warning about the risks involved in an overnight hotel stay.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...s-matchday-protocols-ahead-of-june-17-restart

 

[Firebat]

Think all the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure safety and all clubs and players are on board, so it's abosutely the right decision to restart on Wednesday. Well done to the Premier League.

 

[The Viper]

Premier League players will have their names replaced by 'Black Lives Matter' on their shirts for the first 12 games of the resumed 2019/20 season.

 

[MenInG]

A Norwich City player is one of two people to test positive for coronavirus from the latest round of 1,200 Premier League tests.

Testing took place on Thursday and Friday, with Norwich beating Spurs 2-1 in a friendly at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium also on Friday.

Spurs confirmed they have no positive tests and said the Canaries player had "no close contacts" with their team.

The unnamed player will now self isolate for seven days.

He will now miss the restart of the Premier League campaign, which has been suspended since 13 March.

The Premier League is set to resume behind closed doors on 17 June when Aston Villa host Sheffield United at 18:00 BST, with Manchester City v Arsenal at 20:15.

The Canaries - six points from Premier League safety - host 14th place Southampton on Friday 19 June at 18:00 in their first fixture of the restarted campaign.

There have now been 16 positive results from 8,687 tests in total.

A Spurs statement said the club was following the Government's definition of "close contact" as being within two metres of a confirmed case for 15 minutes or more.

They said: "The Norwich player in question has confirmed he had no 'close contacts' with our team yesterday and our squad has also verified this."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53036195

 

[The Viper]

Premier League: Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says 'the eyes of the world will be on us'

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says "the eyes of the world will be on us" when his side host Sheffield United in the first Premier League game since the coronavirus shutdown.

The English top flight has been on hold since 13 March, with Villa's 4-0 loss at Leicester the last game played.

Villa face Sheffield United at 18:00 on Wednesday.

Smith's comments were echoed by Blades boss Chris Wilder, who says his players "understand the magnitude of the game".

"First game back is going to be a little bit different," said Wilder.

"Villa v Sheffield United was a Championship game last year and would possibly have been seventh or eighth on [BBC's] Match Of The Day but now it is 18:00 BST on the TV and worldwide coverage."

Sheffield United are seventh in the table and in contention for a top-four finish with 10 games remaining, but Wilder will not allow his players to be distracted by the prospect of Champions League football.

"If it gets to the situation where we are one or two games out and we are still in a fantastic position then we will possibly talk about that," said Wilder.

"But at the moment we have quarter of a season to go, near enough. There are some incredible challenges in front of us."

Victory at Villa Park would move the Yorkshire club up to fifth in the table, while a win for the hosts would lift them out of the relegation zone.

Smith added he is not in favour of the temporary rule change to allow up to five substitutions per side, saying it will "help the clubs with bigger squads".

"I just believe we started the season with certain rules and now we have changed it," he said.

"There was talk of more risk of injury but having more subs doesn't help that."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53054418

 

[MenInG]

Fans on big screens and specific cameras to celebrate towards are some of the "broadcast enhancements" that will be used when the Premier League season restarts this week.

A number of innovations, including tunnel cameras and audio from the coin toss, have been developed.

Some viewers will also be given the option of listening to games with or without artificial crowd noise.

Players will not hear the audio effects in the behind-closed-doors games.

The seats nearest the pitch will also have covers designed by each club "to improve the environment both visually and acoustically".

As part of the plans, the Premier League has said live video feeds featuring 16 supporters from each club will be made available to broadcasters and to clubs for use on big screens during matches.

Some grounds, including Anfield, do not have giant screens and it is understood there are no plans to install a temporary one at the home of the Premier League leaders.

For goal celebrations, players should maintain distance from one another and "where feasible, broadcasters will identify a celebration camera which players can head to after scoring".

Players have also been told that they must not surround match officials and there must be "no spitting or nose clearing", while opposition managers will not shake hands.

There will also be drinks breaks "lasting no longer than one minute" midway through each half, with the time added to the end of each half, and warm-downs can take no longer than 25 minutes.

With only about 300 people present at each match, there will be no ball boys and girls, with spare balls positioned around the pitch.

VAR will also resume, with extra rooms used in the VAR Hub for social distancing.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53058264

 

[Firebat]

Coronavirus: Twelve positive cases detected at EFL clubs in past week

Twelve individuals from English Football League clubs have tested positive for coronavirus in the past week.

The EFL said eight cases came from six Championship clubs, with Brentford publicly confirming one case.

The other four positive tests came at two League One clubs, from which only the four play-off entrants were involved in the testing process.

There were no positive results from the tests at four League Two clubs.

More than 2,600 players and staff from EFL clubs were tested during the past week, including 2,213 connected to Championship teams.

Championship side Bristol City said on Tuesday that one person from their club had tested positive for coronavirus, while League One Oxford United confirmed on 12 June that two people had tested positive from their club.

Those who returned positive results must self-isolate away from their respective clubs, as per EFL guidelines.

Players and staff at EFL clubs are tested twice per week, with different protocols implemented dependent on the nature of the positive tests.

The League Two play-offs get under way on Thursday with two semi-final first leg matches, while Championship fixtures are set to resume on Saturday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53081102

 

[Firebat]

The EFL said eight cases came from six Championship clubs, with Brentford publicly confirming one case.

Arsenal just played Brentford in a friendly this past week, wonder if this news will affect us?

 

[KingKhanWC]

100 odd days has been a long time.

It's back !

Villa need a win v Sheff Utd - 0-0 after 20 mins.