This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
Premier League Faces Huge TV Losses Amid Player Concerns ¶
As the Premier League continues talks on 'Project Restart', clubs are bracing for huge TV losses. According to the BBC, the English top-flight could face a bill of up to £340 million ($420 million) if they manage to complete the coronavirus-disrupted season behind closed doors.
The lack of atmosphere in empty stadiums is also a factor, with broadcasters set to be reimbursed for matches not being played as scheduled. Premier League CEO Richard Masters has warned that there will be significant loss of revenue for clubs, regardless of the outcome.
On Monday, the 20 Premier League clubs discussed models that may have to be used to decide final standings if it is not deemed safe to resume. New government guidelines have paved the way for elite sport to return behind closed doors in England from June 1.
However, England internationals Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose have raised concerns over a return to contact sport when the rest of society is being advised to follow social-distancing guidelines. Sterling told his YouTube channel, '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.'
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the return of sport on TV would 'provide a much-needed boost to national morale'. However, a YouGov poll revealed that 73 percent of 2,000 people surveyed said the return of the Premier League and English Football League would not lift their spirits.
Britain has been one of the worst-hit countries in the global pandemic, with the government officially recording more than 32,000 deaths from COVID-19. Rose, who is on loan at Newcastle from Tottenham, told an Instagram live, 'People’s lives are at risk. Football shouldn’t even be spoken about coming back until the numbers have dropped massively.'
The Premier League are due to meet unions for players and managers later this week to discuss protocols for a return to group training. A further complication for Project Restart is where any matches would be played, with clubs opposed to a proposal for a limited number of neutral venues to be used.
