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May 28, 2020

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EPL teams approve contact training

English Premier League clubs yesterday voted unanimously to return to contact training, including tackling, as the English top flight moved a step closer to a resumption after the shutdown caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

A statement following a meeting of all 20 EPL clubs, said: “Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimizing any unnecessary close contact. The Premier League’s priority is the health and wellbeing of all participants.”

Failure to resume the season could cost the league around 750 million pounds (US$921.75 million) in lost revenue from broadcasters, according to British media estimates.

Clubs last week began the first phase of ‘Project Restart’ after agreeing to a return to training in small groups under strict limitations and no contact.

The announcement that Phase Two can commence follows 1,744 tests on players and staff for coronavirus which produced eight positives, including Watford defender Adrian Mariappa and Bournemouth ‘keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

A third round of testing took place on Monday and Tuesday.

No matches have been played in the EPL since March when the coronavirus pandemic shut down world sport.

However, yesterday’s vote is a big step towards the league completing the 92 remaining fixtures.

Today EPL shareholders will discuss the business aspects of ‘Project Restart’, including a possible broadcast rebate and what to do if the season is curtailed.

Some reports said clubs could lose out even if the league restarts should broadcasters demand a 330-million pound rebate.

Phase Two allows up to 10 players to work together and would ease the time restrictions on training sessions and let players to be closer.

The third phase would be a move to a more typical form of training in the build-up to actual games.

The league had signalled June 12 as a potential start date but it now looks likely to be later in the month. Matches would be held without fans in attendance.

“Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season,” the EPL said, “when conditions allow ... when safe to do so.”

Some players still have reservations about playing — particularly at Watford, which is a place above the drop zone.

“I am not in favor of the Premier League returning, in a sense that not everyone is comfortable with it,” Watford backup goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes said in a video interview. “I believe the virus isn’t going away from one day to another. We obviously hope it does, but the problem will remain until a vaccine is developed.”

Watford captain Troy Deeney did not return to training last week over concerns about his son’s health.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson said playing at an empty Anfield and winning the EPL title with no fans present would be “pretty strange.”

Liverpool was 25 points clear of 2019 champion Manchester City when the league was shut down, on the verge of being crowned English champion for the first time in 30 years.

“Of course it would feel different because if you win any trophy and receive it without any fans there, it would be pretty strange,” he told the BBC.

“We still have work to do and we still need to perform at a high level right the way until the season finishes because we want to finish as strongly as we can to make sure it is a full season.”




 

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