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UEFA issues deadline to Premier League for plans to finish season

UEFA has given the Premier League four weeks to provide a detailed plan to resume the season amid...
Phil Egan
Phil Egan

10.46 28 Apr 2020


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UEFA issues deadline to Premie...

UEFA issues deadline to Premier League for plans to finish season

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

10.46 28 Apr 2020


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UEFA has given the Premier League four weeks to provide a detailed plan to resume the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Premier League has been suspended since March 13th but several clubs have started to resume training, albeit with restrictions in place.

The UK Government said earlier this week that they want football to get up and running again as soon as possible.

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Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, revealed that he had held discussions with the Premier League about the possibility of the season resuming.

UEFA has told leagues that it needs to know by May 25th if the competitions will restart and if so, when they plan to do it and which format will they use.

A new circular from the governing body stated: "National Associations and/or Leagues should be in a position to communicate to UEFA by May 25, 2020, the planned restart of their domestic competitions — including the date of restart and the competition format."

The ideal scenario for European football's governing body is to get the domestic leagues completed but UEFA stated last week that if government provisions would not allow for a nation's domestic league to resume, places for competitions in Europe would be decided on 'sporting merit'.

However, that would only relate to European qualification spots and not the confirmation of title winners or relegation issues, which remain for leagues to decide.

Belgian clubs postponed a vote deciding whether to end their season early after it had looked like Bruges would be crowned champions with an early finish to the season but the 24 clubs will now meet next Monday as they await further clarity from the Belgian government.

Last week Dutch officials called an early halt to their season but it has led to threats of legal action from various clubs.

There are 92 games left in the Premier League season and a number of scenarios to finish the season have being mooted - including playing matches at neutral venues.

Mass testing will be required for Premier League players, who will also have to remain in isolation to ensure they are not exposed to COVID-19.

Tottenham are the latest club to resume training but only one player will be allowed on a pitch at any one time, with a restricted number allowed to conduct running sessions each day.

Several Spurs players - along with manager Jose Mourinho - had to be reminded of their social distancing duties over the past month.

Arsenal, Brighton and West Ham have also made their training grounds available in limited circumstances.

German football could be back as early as May 9th, while talks have taken place in Italy over a possible return to football in early June.

 


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