EPL clubs are "expected to be allowed to use their own grounds to complete the season" after positive talks between senior league figures, government officials and the police. A source said, "It still depends on the police being satisfied that certain measures can be put in place." A further "significant obstacle" remains "convincing players it is safe to return." On Tuesday, a spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was "too early to discuss resuming" the EPL in the capital. The spokesperson added, "It can only happen when it is safe to do so -- and it cannot place any extra burden on the NHS and emergency services" (LONDON TIMES, 5/12).
Sources said that London-based Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are "among the clubs to have joined forces and asked the British government to reconsider using neutral venues to play out the season" (ESPN.com, 5/12).
EPL clubs are "threatening to oppose the promotion" of clubs from the League Championship if the second tier "cannot complete the season" and the top flight’s "Project Restart" goes ahead (London TELEGRAPH, 5/12).
The league's clubs "must appoint an official coronavirus officer as part of new-look hygiene protocols" (London DAILY MAIL, 5/12).
EPL CEO Richard Masters said that players "will be consulted about how a safe environment can be created at training and then games." Man City F Raheem Sterling voiced broad concerns, saying, "The moment we do go back we need to make sure it’s at a moment where it’s not just for footballing reasons, it’s safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff, referees" (AP, 5/12). The Professional Footballers' Association has "heard from a number of players who have 'real concerns' about restarting the season." Meanwhile, new data from YouGov showed 73% of 2,098 British adults surveyed would not see the return of soccer as a boost to their morale, with 19% saying it would (BBC, 5/12).
Wolves were the first EPL club to "conduct trials of coronavirus testing in preparation for a rollout across the division this week" (LONDON TIMES, 5/12).
