Liverpool will get chance to clinch title on the field
The Premier League plans to restart on June 17 after a 100-day shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with new staggered kickoff times to make sure every game can be shown on TV as fans are prevented from attending games.
The clubs agreed yesterday that the competition should resume with a Wednesday night doubleheader (Thursday morning NZT) featuring Manchester City playing Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United — two games that were postponed during earlier rounds.
However, the league still needs formal approval from the government as lockdown measures are gradually eased.
“This (June 17) date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed,” Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said, “as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.”
After those makeup games are played, the 30th round will start on Friday, June 19 at 8pm (1900 GMT) — if authorities approve safety plans. The government has been keen on bringing back sports, this week approving contact training between large groups of players.
“Positive to see further steps on the return of football today,” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted. “We are still working on govt guidance before we green light sports’ return.”
Resuming the league has been keenly awaited at Liverpool, who are 25 points clear with nine games remaining in the quest to end a 30-year title drought.
It’s still unclear if Liverpool will have a chance to clinch the trophy at Anfield, which is in a busy residential area. Police have said only neutral venues should be used over concerns fans would congregate outside, but that plan was opposed by the 20 clubs.
The clubs did agree during Thursday’s conference call on a reworking of the usual schedule.
Saturdays will see an additional late game start at 8pm after fixtures at 12.30pm, 3pm and 5.30pm. There will be a new early and late slot on Sundays of 12pm and 7pm between the usual 2pm and 4.30pm kickoffs. The Friday and Monday night games will be at usual at 8pm. Midweek rounds will now see an earlier set of games at 6pm followed by 8pm kickoffs.
The Premier League agreed to a government request for all remaining 92 fixtures to be aired live in Britain. Only 200 of the 380 games each season are normally broadcast live domestically while all are available internationally.
For the first time since the Premier League launched in 1992, games will be shown live by freeto-air broadcaster BBC, which has four of the remaining games.
Sky Sports will place 25 of its 64 live matches on a free channel in Britain. The Comcast-owned channel, which shares some coverage with NBC, is trying to adapt coverage to cope with the absence of stadium atmosphere.
“We have developed some terrific new innovations to give football fans the very best experience of watching live sport, when going to the match with family and friends isn’t possible,” Sky chief executive Stephen van Rooyen said.
On its German service, Sky has provided viewers with an option of listening to old crowd noise while watching games.
The Spanish league has government approval to restart after June 8 and Serie A will resume on June 20.