Premier League could be cleared for a June finale
with Government health officials hopeful of the peak of the coronavirus crisis in the next few weeks, they will sanction games under strict guidelines.
The plan was discussed at an emergency meeting on Friday, with an accord reached in principle to finish the Premier League season should the situation improve as expected.
The plan, discussed at the highest level, would allow games to be played under strictly controlled conditions at empty stadiums. League officials have also discussed extensive measures to keep the players in a sterile environment as far as possible, limiting contact with the wider public.To ensure fans do not try to attend games, there have also been talks with the TV companies to extend the number of games screened during June, with the clubs hopeful some may even be shown on terrestrial TV.
Sky and BT have rights to show some of the remaining fixtures, but not a capacity to show all, and discussions have focused on a free-to-air agreement that will allow far more to be screened.
Health officials are confident a peak is close and that distancing measures imposed on the public will begin to have an impact on the number of cases and deaths. The Premier League plan has stuck firmly to discussions about games behind closed doors only.
Clubs were told at the meeting to start preparing for a possible June return. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is hoping to present a new schedule for the Champions and Europa Leagues by May 18.