Premier League resumption not a given

Potentially ending the English Premier League was discussed by clubs yesterday, even as the government cleared a path to resuming the competition next month if there is no new spike in coronavirus infections.

While spectators will not be allowed into stadiums for some time, the British government embraced the return of professional sports, in contrast to rulings by French and Dutch authorities, who have banned any events until September.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that restoring some sports ‘‘could provide a muchneeded boost to national morale‘‘ after being shut down as Britain went into lockdown in March.

But the Premier League also has contingencies if games cannot resume, with clubs divided over the use of neutral stadiums, or if it is not safe enough and the season has to be abandoned.

‘‘It was the first time we discussed curtailment,‘‘ Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said after a conference call with clubs. ‘‘It’s still our aim to finish the season but it’s important to discuss all the options with our clubs.‘‘

No conclusions were reached on whether that would involve finalising the league standings based on a pointsper-game formula, as the French league did before declaring Paris SaintGermain champion.

Liverpool are 25 points clear in the

Premier League with nine games remaining, but clubs remain divided over accepting a plan promoted by police to use neutral venues for all games to limit the burden on authorities.

‘‘Everybody would prefer to play home and away if at all possible,’’ Masters said.

‘‘It’s clear to see that some clubs feel more strongly about that than others. It is an ongoing dialogue and ... we are in contact with the authorities and listening to that advice while also representing club views in those discussions.’’

Britain’s official coronavirus death toll stood at 32,065 yesterday, the highest in Europe and the second highest in the world after the United States.