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Talks continue over Premier League resuming behind closed doors

Talks between the Premier League and ministers in the UK about restarting the football season in Jul...


Talks continue over Premier Le...

Sport

Talks continue over Premier League resuming behind closed doors


Talks between the Premier League and ministers in the UK about restarting the football season in July are to continue next week.

A series of meetings involving senior medical directors of all major sports will attempt to step up planning for a return to action following the coronavirus lockdown.

Any resumption of the League is expected to be behind closed doors - and will only be considered when it's safe to do so.

"Ministers continue to work with sports governing bodies on how live sporting events can resume in the future. This can only happen once we have passed the five tests for easing social distancing measures," a UK government spokesman said of the discussions.

The Premier League have also been in talks with rights holders about broadcasting all 92 remaining fixtures, should they played without supporters in stadiums. BT and Sky Sports are already set to screen 47 of those games.

Yesterday Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward confirmed that his club are committed to completing the campaign:

"Like all of you, we are eager to see the team return to the field as soon as we are advised it is safe to do so, hopefully to complete a season which still held so much promise for us in the Premier League, the Europa League and the FA Cup when it was suspended.

"We are in constant dialogue with our governing bodies about when and how that will happen and we will continue to engage with this forum to keep fans consulted.

"And while it may be that games need to be played behind closed doors in the shorter term, we all recognise that football will not be fully back to normal until supporters are once again in attendance."



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Coronavirus Covid-19 Premier League Shutdown

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