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Premier League's Project Restart set to move a step closer

By Simon StoneBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments1318

Sadio Mane, Liverpool
Liverpool are four points away from their first league title in 31 years. Their last game before lockdown was a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at Anfield.

Premier League clubs hope to give their players the go-ahead to return to training in small groups this week.

But there is a growing feeling the intended 12 June date for matches to start again will need to be pushed back.

A vote is due to take place on training and medical protocols when the 20 top-flight clubs hold their next meeting on Monday.

If passed, players would be able to train in groups of five from Tuesday.

That would be on condition they observe social distancing rules and adhere to a series of strict criteria, which include getting changed at home and driving to training grounds on their own.

At least 14 of the 20 clubs must agree that safety protocols are sufficient for the plan to be approved.

Last week, the government said it had "opened the door" for the return of elite sport, but several hurdles remain before the Premier League can resume behind closed doors.

Clubs have been carrying out coronavirus testing this weekend to ensure there is no further delay, but a number of players - including Newcastle United defender Danny Rose and Watford skipper Troy Deeney - have expressed concerns about returning.

Players have been asked to sign waivers and it is understood the Professional Footballers' Association has offered to get the agreements legally checked if anyone is uncertain.

Club officials have been holding high-level meetings because the legal liability for any player who became seriously ill would fall on them.

It is anticipated a three-step return to action will be implemented. It is hoped to move into the second phase at the beginning of June, which would involve training in larger groups, before a return to contact training.

At the meeting on Monday, clubs will also be updated on talks with police and safety committees over the request to play matches at their own stadiums rather than at neutral grounds, as initially proposed.

They will also receive a report on the return of Germany's Bundesliga and will have been heartened to learn there were no instances of fans turning up at stadiums in significant numbers.

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling said on Sunday that players would need a "full four to five weeks" of training before returning to competition.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce had earlier told the Sunday Telegraphexternal-link the timescale was "at least six weeks", adding: "I don't see how we can play games until the back end of June."

The Premier League is thought to be relaxed, viewing the restart as more important than the actual date.

It also knows that while Uefa hopes domestic leagues are completed by 31 July, there are spare days in August free from European competition to allow outstanding fixtures to be played.

Megan Rapinoe and Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling spoke to United States international Megan Rapinoe in a Zoom chat that was broadcast on YouTube.

What happens next?

  • 18 May: Next Premier League meeting
  • 19 May: Players may return to group training under socially distancing protocols
  • 25 May: Uefa deadline for leagues to have finalised plan for restarting seasons
  • 1 June: Government date for possible return of elite sport behind closed doors
  • 12 June: Premier League aiming to return with first fixture

Further talks in the EFL

In addition to the Premier League meeting, League One clubs will hold further talks about how to proceed with their season after a meeting on Friday ended in deadlock.

Many clubs want the season to end now because of the costs involved but at least seven - including Peterborough, Sunderland, Ipswich and Portsmouth - want to continue.

They hope to have a plan to put before Wednesday's meeting of the EFL board, which will also have to assess League Two's proposals for terminating the season.

It is thought unlikely the request to not relegate anyone to the National League will be endorsed, with a number of Championship clubs making it clear they would not agree with any decision that undermines the concept of promotion to the Premier League.

Comments

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1318 comments

  • Comment posted by darktowers, at 21:05 17 May 2020

    Furloughed factory workers - go back to work next day they’re called. Premier League footballers: We need 5 weeks to warm up (even though we’ve been exercising everyday in our mansions).

    It really is a tough life these footballers have. /s

  • Comment posted by VanImpe, at 20:55 17 May 2020

    Tests for NHS staff before footballers.

  • Comment posted by Old Cynic, at 20:57 17 May 2020

    First thing they should vote on is ban spitting.

  • Comment posted by Rainfordian, at 21:01 17 May 2020

    Did any footballer get furloughed? Why are they so 'special' yet millions of har working Britons end up on less that £2500 a month?

    Football and footballers can do one.

  • Comment posted by Moaning Minnie, at 21:14 17 May 2020

    Am I the only one who has got loads of stuff done since we suspended the football?

    I missed it at first but don't anymore.

    Stay safe whoever you follow!

  • Comment posted by PranR17, at 21:35 17 May 2020

    @1 "Tests for NHS staff before footballers."

    You do realise the government isn't prioritising footballers for testing right? The Premier league has million £4 million to a Hong Kong company to test everyone involved in these games.

    I'd say it's a good thing as it increases the overall testing capacity of the UK. The more people being tested the better!

  • Comment posted by listentoyourself, at 21:59 17 May 2020

    Simply lost all interest in this season. The money is all that this is about and it stinks.

  • Comment posted by Nic77, at 21:27 17 May 2020

    @56 "Second wave coming?? The UK's first wave hasn't even peaked yet....Boris is silently killing you all"

    Erm yes it has. Today was our lowest daily death toll since the beginning of lockdown!

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 20:57 17 May 2020

    Just leave it - it’s not important.

  • Comment posted by Truth be known, at 22:10 17 May 2020

    No discussion needed on here, football will go ahead...it's their job, like teachers going back to school...garden centres opening etc etc etc

    Football authorities get real, get on with it and move on......like the rest of society!!!!!

  • Comment posted by jay, at 20:56 17 May 2020

    All about the money

  • Comment posted by User0650940018, at 21:08 17 May 2020

    10. Rainfordian
    Did any footballer get furloughed? Why are they so 'special' yet millions end up on less that £2500/mo?
    ----
    You know what I find funny - many players have been seen flouting lockdown rules as well as training together. No player-wide PFA-led unionised backlash over reporting of that, yet when money gets talked about suddenly they move to condemn people pointing a light on them.

  • Comment posted by anythingleftonthebbc, at 21:53 17 May 2020

    Gutted for Kyle Walker, this training nonsense, will really get in the way of his social activities!

  • Comment posted by Ook the Librarian, at 21:29 17 May 2020

    Watched some of the Bayern match today - and I forgot how appalling footballers can be

    Slightest tap on the ankle and they are rolling around like they have been chopped down by a Viking Beserker

    The whole sport (I mean Business) should have a word with itself - NHS heroes and heroines are working 60 hours a week to keep people alive on a salary which is much less than you earn in a month!

  • Comment posted by PotatoBrain, at 04:03 18 May 2020

    I play Sunday pub league football and there is no way I will be resuming training until the pub reopens.

  • Comment posted by User0926430408, at 21:10 17 May 2020

    Project restart is only happening so that the premier league gets to keep the tv revenue it needs to function. Nothing whatsoever to do with boosting national morale.

  • Comment posted by Donkey, at 21:12 17 May 2020

    German players turn up to the ground in 3 coaches to observe social distancing then break the social distancing by tackling.

  • Comment posted by haydock, at 22:53 17 May 2020

    They're just going back to work like everyone else. You can't 100% guarantee somebody won't catch it, same as you can't guarantee they won't get knocked over by a bus. We can't all stay at home forever just to be safe.

  • Comment posted by Jon, at 22:01 17 May 2020

    I'm unclear on the 5-6 weeks to prepare time-frame. When a player is injured for a couple of months and unable to train at all they're frequently back in the team within a week or two of returning to training.

    These players have been carrying out personal training under the guidance of their clubs for the past two months.

    If they don't want to play then they should just say so.

  • Comment posted by Trick, at 21:06 17 May 2020

    So much for footballers being role models. Still getting paid their millions when most struggling yet the believe they are the 'entitled' ones who should have different rules from the mass population.