PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs got the Government’s green light for a return to action next month.
But the good news came with red flags as the 20 clubs were faced with a number of issues:
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The Premier League has government approval to resume in June but there are still issues to clubs to resolveCredit: PA:Press Association
The apparent U-turn on neutral grounds — with up to 13 clubs against the idea — came amid a groundswell of opinion that league chiefs had kowtowed too swiftly to pressure from police.
Clubs asked why there had been no real pushback to police concerns over fans congregating outside grounds where matches were being played behind closed doors.
Brighton, Aston Villa and Watford had led the rebellion but Prem chief exec Richard Masters admitted: “All clubs would prefer to play at home and they accept it’s an issue to be addressed.
“It’s fair to say that it is not an issue which is unique to any part of the League.”
It was a rare rebuff for League bosses, with Masters raising the issue at a pre-arranged meeting with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport last night.
But it came as the scale of the financial hit was confirmed.
Club chiefs were given the bleak news that broadcasters want at least half of their advanced money for the remaining quarter of this season repaid because of the coronavirus disruption.
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Sunsport revealed the long-term threat to future deals yesterday and if matches do not restart, the clubs will be liable for the entire £760m, although they may be allowed to pay it back over three or more years.
Masters confirmed: “Whatever happens, there’s going to be significant loss of revenue for clubs. That is inevitable.”
But Wembley chairman Clarke, representing English football’s governing body as the holder of the “Special Share” granted the FA when it backed the Prem breakaway in 1991, made clear he would veto any attempts to void the season or prevent relegation.
That appeared to have forced some clubs into a revision of their stance against resuming the season although others will not accept the FA intervening and would demand a vote on the issue.
But it also forced an extra need for clubs to agree returning to training and Covid-19 testing protocols with players.
Talks will begin in earnest today and Masters added: “We have protocols created and reviewed, we have a testing company appointed but the important consultation with players and managers is the next step.
“Nothing has been agreed and nothing will be agreed until we have spoken to both the managers and the players.”
Ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand says Premier League restart won’t satisfy every club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
