Government open to the safe return of football in England

 

A meeting between the English football league, Premier League, and football association and the ministry of culture has moved forward, according to Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary.

This means that football in England could return in June, although with the added need to give wide access to fans to see the live coverage of games.

However, this doesn’t mean that safety would be thrown into the wind has England’s deputy chief medical officer said any return would be “slow” and “measured.”

This is a welcomed development as the Premier League held a meeting on Monday to discuss “Project Restart” with the expectations of having matches returning on June 12 without fans.

“We all agreed that we would only go ahead if it is safe to do so and the health and welfare of players, coaches and staff come first, It is now up to the football authorities to agree and finalize the detail of their plans, and there is combined goodwill to achieve this for their fans, the football community and the nation as a whole.” Dowden was quoted on BBC.

He, however, states that medical experts and The government will continue to give support and guidance.

Another meeting by Premier League clubs will be on Monday as players will resume group training under strict social distancing measures.

He added that plans to return should “ensure finances from the game’s resumption supports the wider football family.

The next meeting of Premier League clubs will take place on Monday, when top-flight players may return to initial group training under social distancing protocols with such training expected to last 75 minutes.

Bundesliga will be the first top-flight in Europe to return with matches expected this weekend. The premier league has been on suspension since March 13.

 

 

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu