The EPL agreed to a £4M ($4.96M) deal with biotechnology company Prenetics to "provide coronavirus testing for players and staff" as the league "gears up Project Restart for a June resumption of fixtures." The acquisition of the tests from the Hong Kong company is "part of wide-ranging health protocols being drawn up." Initially, training sessions "will comprise groups of five players and three staff." Players "will be asked not to spit, swap shirts or hug each other in goal celebrations if and when matches are resumed." The EPL clubs will hold a conference call on Monday in which the "bottom six clubs opposed" will be told that they "must abide" by the view of the majority. There are 14 votes "required for the league to push forward with a decision" (London TELEGRAPH, 5/8).
EPL clubs are "preparing to square up to each other in Monday’s meeting over the threats, bullying and backbiting" regarding "Project Restart." The league itself "could come under fire from angry clubs, who believe a lack of leadership has contributed to the fall-out." While clubs "will not vote on the proposal to restart the season in the latest shareholders’ meeting," the "gloves are likely to come off regarding the issues and controversy surrounding it." The bottom six clubs "have found themselves cast as a group of saboteurs" (TELEGRAPH, 5/8).
