U.K. soccer’s return will play out on neutral turf
MANCHESTER • Premier League clubs have been told they cannot use their own stadiums for any resumption of games this season with only “approved neutral venues” to host remaining fixtures in a campaign currently on hold due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
The league, which has been suspended since March 9, remains in limbo, unable to take any steps, until any government decision next week on possible changes to lockdown restrictions.
But on Friday all 20 clubs held a conference call in which they looked at plans for a resumption of training later in May followed by a possible return to competitive action in June.
During the meeting clubs were informed that an eventual resumption of matches would see them played only at neutral venues which have been approved from a health and safety point of view, a source familiar with the discussion told Reuters.
The league has also held talks with club medical staff and other medical experts about how restricted team training might be able to return later this month, if the government allows professional sport to resume.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to set out next week a “menu of options” on how restrictions could be eased, but said exact dates of any change would be driven by scientific advice.
The government had originally set May 7 as the day they would review lockdown restrictions.
The Premier League clubs plan to meet again as soon as possible after any government announcement on the lockdown.
While there has been no indication from the government on next week’s outcome, the cabinet minister responsible for sport, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, on Friday held the first formal meeting of a crosssports body set up to examine the practicalities of resuming professional sport.
“I know ( Britons) desperately want sport back on,” Dowden wrote on Twitter. “We just kicked off the first of many detailed meetings to plan for a safe return of elite sport behind closed doors when, and only when, it is safe to do so on the basis of expert medical advice. Lots to consider, but today we step up planning,” he said.
The Premier League said it “welcomed the government’s support.”
English cricket’s governing body, the ECB, has been charged with leading the planning effort for all sports and is looking at ways to play sport behind closeddoors in ‘ bio-secure’ venues.
While no decisions were taken in the Premier League meeting, clubs reviewed plans for resuming training which will initially be restricted to small groups of players with no use of indoor facilities. Clubs would also have to disinfect equipment and training facilities after each training session.