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Premier League Returns After 100-Day Lockdown

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Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 1 min read

This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.

The Premier League is set to return on Wednesday after a 100-day lockdown, with Liverpool on the brink of winning the title in a radically changed football universe.

On March 13, the campaign was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Liverpool two wins from their first English title in 30 years.

Since then, the English top flight has been working on 'Project Restart', a plan to reboot the season with regular testing of players and staff.

Despite vocal complaints from some clubs and stars, the plan has largely gone smoothly, with few positives from regular testing.

However, the games themselves will look different, with players told to maintain social-distancing during goal celebrations and encouraged not to spit.

Players' names will be replaced on the back of their shirts with 'Black Lives Matter' for the first 12 matches, while the league will back anyone who chooses to take a knee in protest before or during matches.

When the campaign resumes, Liverpool could be crowned champions as soon as this weekend if second-placed Manchester City lose at home to Arsenal on Wednesday and the Reds win their first game of the restart at Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday.

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