‘PLAYERS’ SAFETY IS PRIORITY’

BRIGHTON’S technical director Dan Ashworth says players may have to consider their own level of acceptable risk if the season is to resume — and has warned that the Government, not the Premier League, will ultimately decide if it’s possible.

Fans are waiting with bated breath for news from tomorrow’s Premier League meeting, which could be the next step in completing Project Restart.

One of the big hurdles is a row over whether to play matches at neutral grounds — something that Brighton are adamant is unfair and a non-starter.

But Ashworth (above) says the most important issue remains player safety.

“There are a lot of things to be agreed and resolved to allow the Premier League season to resume,” he said. “But first and foremost is the safety of the players and the staff.

“What we have to decide is the level of risk that the players themselves, and the clubs in the league, are willing to endure.

“Until we’ve got a vaccine, then you’re never going to remove the risk altogether. But how much risk are we willing to take?”

Ashworth believes it may end up being players individually who take the choice.

He added: “I think people will have their own level of risk and what they would deem to be safe or not.

“I read something about ethnicity and the pandemic. You know, that is a huge thing, too.

“Then there are underlying health reasons, whether you’re asthmatic, for instance. There are family members to bear in mind.”