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Top-flight clubs will work to standardized return-to-training protocols as part of the Premier League\u2019s \u2018Project Restart\u2019.<\/p>\nTop-flight clubs will work to standardized return-to-training protocols as part of the Premier League\u2019s \u2018Project Restart\u2019.<\/p>\n
It is understood medical representatives from the clubs gathered for a conference call on Saturday to discuss division-wide protocols on a variety of subjects, including training and testing, to allow football to return amid the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Regular testing of all players and key staff for Covid-19 will be a crucial plank of any restart plan, and the PA news agency understands the cost of these tests will be met centrally by the Premier League.<\/p>\n
All clubs will be working to the same protocols in terms of training sessions, which will be designed to minimize the risk of infection. These protocols, informed by Saturday\u2019s conference call, will be presented to club executives at the league\u2019s next shareholders\u2019 meeting on Friday.<\/p>\n
In Spain, LaLiga has set out a four-stage phased return building up from individual work to full group sessions before competition resumes.<\/p>\n
The players\u2019 union, the Professional Footballers\u2019 Association, has also been heavily involved in discussions around the protocols.<\/p>\n
The union\u2019s deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes said: \u201cWe have reiterated that players are not just footballers but partners, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who share the same health concerns as everyone else during this pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been assured of the intentions of all that there would be no resumption unless guarantees of safety could be given to the players. The overriding principle for all parties is the health and safety of all participants on and off the field and of course the wider public\u201d<\/p>\n
Clubs have also been told that only approved stadiums can be used, operating to a higher certification than in normal circumstances. It has been reported that this could mean matches being played at neutral venues, which would lead to questions over the integrity of the competition. Again, the matter will be discussed further on Friday.<\/p>\n
European football\u2019s governing body UEFA has asked its member leagues to submit restart plans by May 25, as it begins preparatory work for next season\u2019s continental club competitions.<\/p>\n
UEFA wants league seasons to be completed where possible, and issued guidelines last week stressing that qualification places should be settled on sporting merit using \u201cobjective, transparent and non-discriminatory\u201d criteria.<\/p>\n
The Premier League has remained committed throughout the pandemic to finishing the 2019-20 season if at all possible.<\/p>\n
UK culture secretary Oliver Dowden said on Monday: \u201cI personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, of course, any such moves would have to be consistent with public health guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Premier League\u2019s medical adviser Mark Gillett, along with the Football Association\u2019s head of medicine Charlotte Cowie, is understood to be part of a group of medical officials from sports governing bodies who will meet on a weekly basis with representatives from Public Health England, in talks led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.<\/p>\n
June 8 has been reported as a potential start date for the Premier League while the PA news agency understands that June 6 could also be an option.<\/p>\n
English professional football has been suspended since March 13, with the Premier League and the English Football League keeping a restart date under \u201cconstant review\u201d.<\/p>\n