Premier League proposes June 8 restart with clubs to resume full training from mid-May

The Premier League is planning to return on June 8 with all the clubs receiving a proposed new schedule list to finish the halted season despite COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc in the UK. England’s top-flight league is aiming to return in just six weeks and would allow teams to fully train from May 18. However, players will have to cover their faces as a part of new rules to allow a safe return to full training.  

League chiefs have already sent the schedule of matches to all 20 clubs ahead of a crucial meeting on Friday. And as per The Telegraph, the plan will be discussed on an individual basis with clubs in a bid to get the proposed scheduled approved by this week.

However, the plans are based on COVID-19 lockdown measures being eased with the next Government review due to take place on May 7. It is still unclear whether the restrictions will be relaxed for the Premier League to resume on their desired date.

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Under the proposed plan, players will be tested for coronavirus over the weekend of May 8 and May 9 before returning to training in small groups. While some clubs including London giants Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have already resumed training minimally, others are still following social distancing rules. 

Football players could be restricted to train under quarantine and there have been talks of players coming to the training ground in their kits in a bid to avoid dressing rooms.

Mass testing will be available for all players, staff and media at training centres and stadiums as Premier League desperately forcing all remaining fixture into a six-week period.

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Meanwhile, UEFA want the Champions League final to be played on August 29 and would expect all the domestic leagues to end their respective campaigns prior to that. FA Cup is also set to restart. 

A PL spokesperson said: “It is our objective to complete the 2019-20 season but all dates are tentative while the impact of Covid-19 develops.”