NHS MINUTE SILENCE ON PL RETURN

A MINUTE’S silence will be held in honour of the NHS when Premier League football returns next week.

Starting with the Wednesday night fixtures and continuing into the first weekend, players and officials will gather — socially distanced — before kick-off to pay tribute to those working on the front line in the fight against coronavirus.

Confirmation has also been given that, as revealed by

Sportsmail, each club will have a heart- shaped NHS patch on their shirts. There is a recognition among players, club staff and the league that they should use their profile to highlight the work being carried out in the nation’s hospitals since the outbreak which triggered football’s suspension.

Meanwhile, clubs have been told that tactical briefings with players in the dressing rooms ahead of kick- off can last no longer than 15 minutes.

The restriction is one of a series of measures that have been brought in ahead of the game’s restart. It can also be disclosed that the away team will walk out of the tunnel first, followed by the hosts then the officials. At stadiums where it allows, two tunnels will be used. Equipment checks are to take place at the dressing room door, rather than the tunnel area.

On the pitch, the Premier League anthem will still be played but players will stand at a safe distance from each other. There will still be a coin toss.

Fans can also expect to see expanded team benches in an attempt to allow members of the technical staff to socially distance.