This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
The 2019-20 Premier League season is at risk of cancellation due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The season has been suspended since 13 March, and a vote is set to take place on Monday on proposals for a return to football.
League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan has warned that if clubs do not agree to play in neutral venues, the season could be cancelled. Bevan stated, “time isn’t on our side and training needs to be in place very soon” for a return by 12 June.
However, Brighton have expressed concerns about using neutral venues, citing the potential impact on the “integrity” of the league. The Premier League's plans, dubbed Project Restart, involve a return to action in June in order to complete the season at the end of July.
According to Bevan, a vote against neutral venues would likely lead to the season's cancellation. He also noted that the government may have concerns about home matches with densely populated stadia, as it may be difficult to adhere to social distancing rules.
Bevan emphasized the importance of health and safety protocols, stating that “football must not occupy any NHS resources, it must not impinge on the capacity of the health and emergency services.”
Players will be tested for the virus twice a week and screened for symptoms every day, and extra precautions will be taken at training, including wearing protective equipment and not showering or eating on premises.
