Colour-coded system to safeguard players

NEW protocols for how Premier League clubs should approach training sessions has been revealed.

One of the protocols set to be introduced is a colour-coded warning system to clubs if they are taking too high a risk in training during the next stage of ‘Project Restart’.

The detailed guidance, published in a new report by The Telegraph, includes analysis on pitch size and how much square metre of space is available to each player during sessions.

The guidance has reportedly been produced by the Premier League’s director of football Richard Garlick, who is believed to have held three rounds of meetings on Tuesday, to deal with the concerns of managers, captains and club doctors.

The report goes on to add that under the colour-coded points system red is regarded as “very high risk” with clubs urged to “reduce the potential incidence and severity of virus transmission”.

Red can be reached with a point total of more than 60, the next level down is amber, with a score of 50-60 points, which is “high risk” followed by “moderate risk” which is yellow (40-49 points), with “low risk” being classified as green (below 39 points).

All totals will be monitored by a “Covid-19 training and coaching coordinator” who will be appointed by clubs and use a “risk guidance template” with all the information.

That template is set to include GPS data and videos of training sessions, which is to be made available to the Premier League on their demand.

Other things included in the guidance is that each activity will be given a score and example include a simple warm-up, which involves 18 players, and lasts for nine minutes and takes place over a large space, and will register as very low risk.

But an attack-versus-defence drill that involves 10 players against eight plus a goalkeeper and that lasts for 20 minutes has a score of 12 points and would, therefore, be deemed a high-risk exercise.

The report also claims that a 10-vs-10 20-minute practice match using the whole pitch, would only score four points and is deemed a moderate risk, as is an eightminute passing drill involving three groups of six players in a smaller space.

The Premier League’s aim is believed to have a mix of activities, scoring below 39 points, to ensure the overall risk is low.

There is no time limit for sessions but there is a clear warning that “close contact” should be limited as much as possible.

Clubs have also been told to limit the number of throw-ins during sessions, keep drinks breaks short and ensure players only use their own personal bottles.

Bibs should also only be handed out by someone wearing PPE gloves and not passed around by players.

While goalkeepers are also expected to train away from the rest of the squad and all coaching equipment – including cones and mannequins – disinfected after each use.

Premier League clubs could resume contact training as early as Thursday if a vote passes at their meeting tomorrow.

All 20 clubs met via video yesterday morning and agreed to progress to the ‘second phase’ of training.

A second meeting will take place today where discussions around Project Restart, and how and when the season could resume, are to take place.