After 100 day suspension of play due to the coronavirus pandemic, English Premier League clubs agreed to resume games on June 17.
“We have provisionally agreed to resume play,” Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said. “But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.”
There are a total of 92 games during the 2019-20 season still to play, with clubs hope to conclude by early August.
“Matches will take place without fans in stadiums, so we are pleased to have come up with a positive solution for supporters to be able to watch all the remaining 92 matches,” Masters said.
Games will be broadcast live via existing partners, Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport and Amazon Prime. The planned kick-off times in the U.K. for live matches will also differ from the traditional times, in order to ensure all can be broadcast.
On May 27, clubs unanimously voted to resume contact training, as did players, managers, the Professional Footballers’ Association, League Managers Association and the U.K. government. Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling, while minimizing any unnecessary close contact and ensuring strict medical protocols at all training facilities.
Premier League players and staff will continue to be tested for Covid-19 at least twice a week, with testing capacity also being increased following the return to contact training. Anyone who tests positive must self-isolate for a minimum of seven days, according to iGamingBusiness.com.
Liverpool currently sit top of the league, 25 points ahead of Manchester City, and had been on course to win the Premier League for the first time.
