Premier League clubs return to training today

Premier League clubs will return to training Tuesday (today) after agreeing to allow “small group” sessions to begin, with a possible return to normal ‘contact’ training next week.

The league held a conference call for all 20 clubs on Monday where the move was given unanimous backing but there remains no firm date for the season to resume.

Another meeting is scheduled for early next week when the league will decide on whether to move to the second phase which allows for training involving contact.

It is the first move in the league’s ‘Project Restart’ plans to resume play in the league, which has not held a game since March 9 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The league has set June 12 as a tentative date for a restart of hostilities but chief executive Richard Masters said they were aware they would need to be flexible.

“We have been focused on this staging post, it’s not a firm commitment, for June 12. What we are able to do today is basically to move forward on small group training,” Masters told reporters on a conference call.

“Next week we are going to be discussing full contact training protocols.

“Once you know when you can start full contact training, and we’ve had a proper discussion with clubs about how much is required to create the fitness levels before they can start playing, we are then in a position to be able to confirm when the season start is.

“What we don’t want to do is continually move that start date so we haven’t changed it. We need to be flexible and acknowledge we are in a step-by-step process,” he added.

Failure to resume the season could cost the league around 750 million pounds ($913.80 million) in lost revenue from broadcasters according to British media estimates.

Some reports said clubs could lose out even if the league restarts should broadcasters demand a 330 million pounds rebate.

Safety measures for group training are expected to include tents where temperature checks will be conducted, strict hygiene criteria, no canteens and no showers. A maximum of five players will be allowed per pitch with tackling forbidden.

Players will be tested twice a week and are being asked to provide written approval that they have received and understood the club’s Covid-19 policy.