PREMIER LEAGUE football is looking to return ASAP with chiefs holding crunch talks with the government.
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden told the House of Commons that he is speaking with Prem chiefs about a plan to bring football back to the public sooner than expected.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
The Premier League is in talks with the government about returning ASAPCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He said: “I 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.”
Dowden’s statement comes after SunSport exclusively revealed Premier League matches could be back on TV within WEEKS.
And games could be shown on public platforms instead of just Sky Sports and BT Sport in order to stop people breaking social distancing measures.
The Premier League has been suspended since mid-March after coronavirus hit the country hard.
There have been 153,000 confirmed cases in Britain, with over 20,000 deaths.
And a nationwide lockdown has been in place for five weeks, with no end in sight.
It means football fans have not been able to watch their teams in action.
And clubs have been feeling the effects in their pockets, with some furloughing staff while arranging pay cuts and wage deferrals with players.
There has been plenty of speculation regarding how the rest of the season will play out, with Euro 2020 already scrapped to help domestic competitions around the continent finish this summer.
One option could be to scrap the entire season, with Dutch authorities already axing the Eredivisie.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world – plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Another is to finish the campaign now and allow current standings to remain.
But all parties would prefer to finish playing out the season by any means possible, with a June start previously earmarked.
And both fans and clubs are sure to take comfort from the fact that the government and Premier League chiefs are now exploring ways to bring the beautiful game back to the football-starved public.
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
Plans have been boosted by the Bundesliga’s decision to return on May 9, with teams already returning to training.
In Italy, Serie A sides will start preparations on May 18, with a plan to resume games on June 2.
However, Spanish authorities are yet to reveal any plans for La Liga as they first and foremost look to protect key workers in the country.
The Premier League has been suspended since MarchCredit: Getty
Arsenal stars leave training as they become first Premier League club to return after 47 days of isolation
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
