Coronavirus: Premier League planning to resume in June at ‘neutral’ stadiums

The Premier League is continuing with plans to resume the 2019/20 season in June despite mounting health concerns from players, while clubs have been told that all matches would be held at “neutral” stadiums.

A teleconference call with executives from all 20 top flight clubs discussed the detail behind Project Restart, including coronavirus testing for players and staff twice a week.

After a three-and-a-half hour discussion, the league is proceeding with plans to complete the season despite others in Europe, including France, Belgium and the Netherlands already calling off professional football until at least late summer.

Under the UK proposals, and in addition to the tests, players would be advised to wear masks or snoods at all times when training and playing, and staff wearing personal protective equipment would disinfect equipment at training grounds, such as corner flags and GPS trackers.

All tests and protective wear would be privately sourced, but figures within the game have raised questions about whether vital supplies would be diverted away from those who need it most.

Former Manchester United and England player Gary Neville says it is prizing economics over health.

“If you’re a football fan with a relative who died in hospital and you couldn’t visit, you weren’t allowed to go to their funeral and football players are getting tested but you couldn’t get a test, would they accept it?

“Would we accept it? Would we think it’s right? I’m sure we wouldn’t,” he said.

Some clubs had expressed concerns about playing at neutral venues instead of their home stadiums but it was impressed upon them that this is the only viable option in order to complete the season. There are understood to be eight to 10 potential venues under consideration, pending police approval.

There has been no Premier League football since Leicester beat Aston Villa on 9 March, three days before it was announced that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta had tested positive for COVID-19, effectively forcing the postponement of that weekend’s round of fixtures.

The government is understood to be keen to see football’s return for economic reasons and the perceived psychological boost it would give to a nation which has been under lockdown for several weeks.

The Premier League is working towards a resumption date of 12 June, but that hinges on government giving the green light for players to return to training when a wider review of lockdown restrictions takes place next Thursday.

But some players believe it is too soon to be talking about returning to football. Brighton striker Glenn Murray called some of the proposals “farcical”, while Manchester City striker Sergio Aguirre said he felt he would be putting his family at risk.

Troy Townsend, director for the anti-discrimination in football body, Kick It Out, is the father of Crystal Palace footballer Andros Townsend. He told Sky News he believes footballers are being asked to take unreasonable risks.

“I’m massively concerned for him with that direct contact he’ll be having with others,” he said.

“But also he’s got a family at home, two young children, a partner.

“You kind of think to yourself what could he possibly be exposing them to as well.”

He added: “It’s great having all the tests for coronavirus, but there are other issues out there. There are issues the black and ethnic minority communities have to deal with on a daily basis regardless of this pandemic.

“Hereditary blood disorders, diabetes, sickle cell which has been in black people for many years and is unfortunately handed down. There would be a massive concern from my point of view but obviously it’s his decision.”

The mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said this week that the season should be ended and runaway league leaders Liverpool awarded the title without playing another match.

He fears fans would gather together to watch games, putting them at risk of spreading the virus.

Former Liverpool title winner John Barnes says fans may get together at home, if not outside stadiums.

“I think they’ll be more responsible (but) because of the camaraderie amongst them they might not come outside the stadium but are they going to get around each other’s houses and have 20 in one house watching the football?”.

This and many other issues will be wrestled with as football’s decision makers discuss how and when it might return.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Premier League planning to resume in June at ‘neutral’ stadiums