Plan to finish season behind closed doors to keep TV happy

PREMIER League stars could be put under a strict quarantine lockdown in hotels for a month. It is one of the ideas being considered ahead of the next round of talks between the Premier League, EFL, Football Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association in a determined effort to get the season completed.

They want to squeeze the remaining games into a confined time frame during June. It would be done behind closed doors but players would have to be kept away from the outside world to avoid risk of infection from coronavirus.

Stadiums, hotels and training facilities would undergo a “deep clean” and the players would be in isolation with the hope of getting the season finished by mid-July, with a date of July 12 being talked about. The TV deals end four days later.

It is believed the virus will reach its peak in three weeks. If the crisis begins to ease, viewers will want some entertainment and it will also save the TV deals, with clubs facing the prospect of having to repay up to £750million to broadcasters.

Players have reservations about matches behind closed doors because of the risk of infection for them and their families and the strain on emergency services, but it is hoped they may be open to different ideas if the crisis has eased.

Clubs face having to pay different amounts in broadcast cash depending on how much they have received, with some having potential bills of up to £60m. And while Sky and BT Sport are believed to be more flexible, foreign TV companies are pushing harder for a conclusion. Premier League clubs may be allowed to have bigger squad sizes, to lift foreign quotas, and to use all the players on their books in order to deal with trying to play 10 games in a month. Some clubs fear fans may not be allowed back into matches before October – well into what was due to be next season – because of ongoing health concerns and, even if the worst has passed, the government may put restrictions on stadiums opening again.

There is a feeling of togetherness among the clubs from the Premier League to the EFL after the last round of talks on Friday, and the PFA accepts that there may have to be deferrals, wage cuts and games behind closed doors.

The PFA believe there will be no issue extending the June 30 date on player contracts. FIFA have agreed deals could be extended until the season is finished.