Premier League finale All set for last-day drama

Premier League clubs have agreed to end next season 19 days before the rearranged European Championship begins in Rome on June 11.

Executives representing the current 20 top-tier clubs unanimously agreed to start the season on Sept 12. The league needs 34 weekends and four midweek match days for its campaign, leaving the earliest end date as May 23.

It gives international players a likely window of less than a week for rest before joining up with international squads preparing for Euro 2020, which was postponed for a year due to Covid-19.

With the schedule still tighter than normal, uncertainty remains over participation in next season’s Carabao Cup. “The Premier League will continue to consult the Football Association and English Football League regarding the scheduling of all domestic competitions,” a Premier League statement said.

At the final Premier League Zoom call of the season, no decision was made over lawmakers’ proposed extension of the five-substitute rule. The promoted teams will be given a vote on the controversial proposals at the next meeting.

The clubs will consider allowing Manchester United, Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers a delayed start to next season depending on how far they go in European competition. Sept 12 was the latest weekend deemed workable by the Premier League to fit in all the games, but it also means players at United, City and Wolves could have very little time to prepare compared to their rivals.

Wolves played their first competitive fixture of this season on July 25 last year, in a Europa League qualifier, and should they go all the way to the final of the competition, they will play until Aug 21.

The schedule for United and City has not been quite so long but, similarly, United could be in a Europa League final, while the Champions League final that City hope to reach will take place on Aug 23.

James Calder, chair of the government committee on the return of elite sports, believes the pandemic will make it “very difficult” for matches to be staged with full crowds for at least another year.

Calder, who played an integral role in helping the Premier League return in June, said full crowds remained unlikely “without a vaccine”. “I really can’t see that happening in the next year,” he added.

Strict rules outlined in a draft document from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority also suggest that obese, diabetic and over-70s fans may be discouraged from attending due to proposals to make supporters fill out “personal risk assessments” when applying for tickets.