Plans set out by the government today have ensured the Premier League could make a return to action from June 1st – although it’s been suggested games will be played behind closed doors for a “significant” time yet.
Any return for sport has always been on hold until the authorities gave it the green light, and now plans featured in Boris Johnson’s roadmap last night will allow sporting events to return behind closed doors from the start of June.
‘Step Two’ of the plan will also see some primary school students go back to school, as well as the opening of some non-essential retail shops.
What the Premier League will look like when it makes a comeback is not yet clear. Neutral venues have clearly been discussed and June 12th was mentioned by a recent report by The Telegraph as a return date, but it seems there’s still plenty obstacles to overcome before we see football return.
Sky Sports reported this morning that the majority of bottom half sides are against clubs being relegated this season – EVEN if the football season does end up being resumed – with Norwich, Aston Villa and Brighton also rumoured to be unhappy at what the lack of home advantage would mean to their chance of survival.
Why they are complaining is a mystery in itself. If they lose home advantage, surely they gain the upper hand when travelling away?
Then there’s reports of certain players being fearful of returning to match day action, which comes as no surprise considering three Brighton players have tested positive for the virus in the last few days.
City star Sergio Aguero and Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger have been two of the most vocal critics of the Premier League returning; and I can’t say I blame them when people are dying.
All 20 Premier League clubs are set to vote on “Project Restart” as early as next week, with all the details set to be ironed out unanimously.
