Return of Premier edges closer

THE CLUBS in the English Premier Football League have voted unanimously to take another step forward in their plan to resume professional matches at the top level.

The decision was taken after consultation with clubs, players, the Professional Football Association, the League Managers Association and the Government. It’s an inclusive approach – which the Government could have done well to adopt when considering the return of children to their primary schools.

Players have been undertaking some training for a week  now – but on the basis that there is no physical contact between them. It’s almost a socially distanced training. Now clubs will move to group training, in which tackling is allowed. However, close contact must still be minimised.

The phased return is being supported by testing for Coronavirus, carried out twice a week. To date, 1,744 people have been tested, with only eight returning positive results.

The plan for a gradual return to playing matches once more has been named Project Restart. If phase two works well, it is believed that the third phase will be a return to normal training regimes so that players can get fully match-fit. The Premier League hopes that matches will resume next month, allowing the remaining fixtures in the 2019/20 season to be played. However, much of the detail remains to be discussed and agreed.

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Corona brings East London football to a standstill
Thought for today 16.02.20