THE Premier League plan to use coronavirus testing machines in an attempt to get the 2019/20 season completed as soon as possible, according to reports.
Clubs are hoping to be able to monitor their players and staff as closely and strictly as possible once they come back together following the lockdown.
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The Premier League’s clubs want to be able to have access to coronavirus testing machines to be able to check players and staff dailyCredit: Reuters
According to the Mirror, they want to have machines at their training ground to test employees on a daily basis.
It comes after the government pledged more equipment will be in general use by the end of the month.
Earlier this week, SunSport reported how the top flight had been made aware of a new app capable of determining whether fans at grounds are healthy.
A British tech firm has developed a digital “health passport” which can be scanned to show when someone has tested negative for coronavirus or has antibodies giving them immunity.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is set to speak to app makers VST Enterprises (VSTE) this week about how it can be used to check the health of supporters entering stadiums.
The proposed plan for its use in sport is to allow only people who have tested negative or have antibodies to buy tickets for games.
Fans would have to validate their health passport at point of purchase and also have their app scanned by stadium security, ensuring everyone inside the ground is free of the virus.
The Premier League confirmed that matches would not get underway again until it is definitely safe to do so amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
But with 92 fixtures still to be completed this season, there is plenty of pressure to get them done – largely due to the financial implication if the season is scrapped.
TV broadcasters would be owed around £762million in the event of the remaining games not going ahead which could have major knock-on effects for clubs reliant on that income.
Managers will be hoping to put their players through a mini pre-season thought to last around three weeks before the season re-commences.
The remaining fixtures are likely to be played behind closed doors in a desperate bid to complete the campaign.
But fans are not expected to miss out on the action with Sky and BT Sport open to broadcasting all matches.
That would also encourage fans to stay away from the grounds and congregate in groups outside.
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A source close to one player told SunSport: “The players are being told that mid-June is the time to expect football to kick off again.
“And to aim for training to start again in the middle of May — that should give enough time.”
Top-flight games have been earmarked to restart on June 13 although the date is subject to change on the advice of the government.
Premier League ‘to release statement ending season’ due to coronavirus uncertainty, claims Serie A chief Marino
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
