Premier League stars return to training TOMORROW after club’s vote on restart plan after coronavirus delay
PREM clubs have voted to approve a formal return to the training ground.
The agreement to move to “Stage One” of the training protocols will see all 20 top flight squads beginning basic work from tomorrow.
That will allow individual training and groups of no more than five players per pitch, with training times staggered.
The green light came as part of the latest video meeting of the 20 “shareholder” clubs, which lasted around two and a half hours.
Clubs discussed a number of other issues, including their desire to play all the remaining 92 games this season in home stadiums rather than at neutral venues.
The proposed £330m rebate to broadcasters was also raised around the virtual boardroom table.
Some clubs are unhappy at being asked to give more live games and access to TV companies in exchange for less money than had originally been agreed as part of the total £9bn three-year deal for domestic and overseas rights.
But the only vote taken was in favour of the official return to training, although with a number of strict conditions.
All players at the 20 clubs will have had to have tested negative for Covid-19 on either Sunday or today before being passed fit to train.
Any players testing positive must self-isolate for seven days and not train.
Even when players turn up, at specific times and no more than 15 minutes before the start of their maximum 75-minute sessions, they must submit to temperature checks and fill in a health questionnaire.
All players and training staff must bring their own equipment, with the exception of boots that can be left at the training ground.
But all bibs, cones, balls, boots, gloves and other pieces of training apparatus must be disinfected before and after use.
Players can only work in small groups and must socially distance, staying at least 2m apart.
Contact training will not be allowed until the Government agrees that players can move to “Stage Two”, which is unlikely to be for at least a week and maybe more.
Prem chiefs recognise their initial June 12 target date for a resumption is now unlikely with managers suggesting they want at least four weeks of full training before resuming matches.
That could take the restart date back to June 26, although there is still hope of a second kick-off - after a three-month hiatus - on June 19.
Prem chiefs confirmed the move in a statement.
The League said: "Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to return to small group training from tomorrow afternoon – the first step towards restarting the Premier League, when safe to do so.
"Step One of the Return to Training Protocol enables squads to train while maintaining social distancing. Contact training is not yet permitted.
"This first stage has been agreed in consultation with players, managers, Premier League club doctors, independent experts and the Government.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
"Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible.
"The health and well-being of all participants is the Premier League’s priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process.
"Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA and LMA as protocols for full-contact training are developed."