Fan trials planned before a September start

ken previously about a desire to be “guinea pigs” in the return of supporters amid the coronavirus pandemic, and it is understood clubs are keen to invite a limited number of spectators to pre-season matches over the summer.

A wider return of spectators on a socially-distanced basis to sporting events is set to occur from October 1.

While a season end date has been fixed — May 23 for the Premier League and May 8 and 9 for the EFL regular season — there are a host of calendar issues still to be resolved.

It is not yet confirmed whether those clubs involved in European competition will begin their Premier League seasons on September 12, or whether they will be granted a delay.

There is no confirmation yet whether there will be a winter break, or the format or schedule for domestic cup competitions.

The delayed Euro 2020 finals start on June 11, 2021. In order for clubs to comply with the 14-day player release rule, the FA Cup final would need to be played either on the same weekend as the last round of Premier

League matches, on an earlier weekend or in a midweek slot.

It has been reported that Premier League clubs want FA Cup third and fourth-round replays to be scrapped, and for ties to be played in midweek.

Fitting in the autumn rounds of the Carabao Cup could also be problematic, with the Champions League and Europa League group stages to be played in every available midweek slot from the week of October 19 until the week of December 7. The only break will come in mid-november, for internationals.