Premier League given nod by UK government to resume season from June 1
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The United Kingdom government on Monday gave a green signal to the resumption of Premier League, behind closed doors, from June 1
The United Kingdom government on Monday gave a green signal to the resumption of Premier League, behind closed doors, from June 1. As per the latest decision taken after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap presented in the Parliament, cultural and sporting events will be allowed to be held without fans in a bid to avoid large-scale social contact but the events will be broadcasted.
Notably, the Premier League is set to meet today with clubs to discuss the much-talked-about ‘Project Restart’ and the implications of playing matches in the proposed neutral venues. However, no formal votes will be taken today. However, those in support of a restart will be left confident after Monday’s government guidelines.
Despite the likelihood of televised football behind closed doors, the hardcore fans might have to wait to visit their favourite stadiums unless a COVID-19 vaccine is found. This could be devastating news for football clubs who will have to prepare for at least half of 2020-21 season behind closed doors.
The return of football on TV will be a huge boost to the Premier League clubs who are already set to lose a significant percentage of the £760million they had already been paid by broadcasters for the final quarter of this season.
Earlier, Man City winger Raheem Sterling had raised questions on the resumption of the campaign as he asked whether the restart of the halted season is safe for everyone.
"We all want to get back to football but at the same time, there's a pandemic going on. The moment we do go back it just needs to be a moment where it's not just for footballing reasons, it's safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff, referees. I don't know how that's going to work but I feel like once that side of the people's safety and the players' safety is secured and their wellbeing is looked after then that's the right time to go back in," Sterling said.