Premier League to return as Government gives competitive sport behind closed doors the green light

FOOTBALL has been given the green light to be played behind closed doors when the Premier League returns next month as the government today reveals new guidelines for sport.

Millions of footie fans were celebrating this week after it was announced the season would restart on June 17 – with all 92 matches shown live on TV and a third of them totally free.

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Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters revealed games would be played behind closed doors to avoid a second spike – with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden giving the plans the seal of approval at today’s No10 briefing.

But he warned there would be restrictions in place – including social distancing in the dug-out and players celebrating 2m apart.

It comes as:

• Police forces urged Brits not to break lockdown this weekend despite a 25C heatwave
• The UK death toll rose by 215 to 38,376 today
• Government advisers voiced concerns easing of lockdown measures from Monday
• Parents are warned to expect supermarket-style queues at school gates when they reopen 
• Senior Tories demanded the 2m rule be scrapped to get Britain’s pubs open again 

Mr Dowden said: “I can now make it official: football is coming back.”

He continued: “For more than two months after sport stopped and after weeks of round-the-clock discussions with medical experts and professional sports bodies, I’m delighted to announce today that the Government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday at the earliest.

“Football, tennis, horse racing, Formula One, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly.”

As well as football, the MP told the briefing horse racing is due to resume at Newcastle on Monday with the first major meeting, involving the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket, coming on June 6.

Other competitive sports are also due to return – including rugby, Formula 1 and tennis.

Under the new regulations, players must travel alone to games and a one-way system will be in place around stadiums to avoid contact.

Everyone entering a venue must also be screened for Covid-19 and anyone suspected of having the virus must be placed in isolation.

Showers in dressing rooms can be used, while physio treatment should be limited.

Mr Dowden also said the government wants grassroots sport and women’s teams back up and running.

He also revealed the rules on exercising will be further relaxed – with Brits able to play sport with up to five people from different households if they remain 2m apart.

Fans have patiently been waiting for the season to start again after it was suspended on March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There was hope it may return at the start of April but the UK went into lockdown and it was revealed some players and staff had tested positive for the deadly disease.

Man City will kick off the restarted season against Arsenal, while Aston Villa and taking on Sheffield Utd on June 17 – followed by a full weekend of top-flight fixtures.

The season will finish by August 2 if there is no new virus spike.

All matches will be played behind closed doors with stars and staff tested regularly.

The 92 remaining games will be live on Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport and Amazon Prime — with 29 matches free to air.

Mr Dowden confirmed games would shown for free tonight, saying: “I’m glad to confirm today that a third of matches to finish the season will now be free to view including the Liverpool v Everton derby and live Premier League football will be on the BBC for the first time in its history.”

Under the plans, two games could be aired in one night, at 6pm and 8pm. Others could be shown at 3pm on Saturdays.

There will be four matches on Sundays too, at 12pm, 2pm, 4.30pm and 7pm.

BACK OF THE NET

In order to fit in all games on TV, new kick-off times will be introduced.

Friday and Monday games will be at 8pm, while Saturday will have four matches starting at 12.30pm, 3pm, 5.30pm and 8pm.

Midweek games, played on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays, will have 6pm and 8pm starts, allowing fans to watch footie all evening.

It will be the first time since the Premier League’s inception in 1992 that top-flight games will be shown by the BBC.

Clubs agreed to the return date providing all safety requirements are met.

Mr Masters said today: “The Premier League welcomes the Government’s announcement today.

“We have provisionally planned to restart the Premier League on 17 June, but there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

“This includes consulting with our clubs, players and managers – along with all our other stakeholders – as the health and welfare of our participants and supporters is our priority.

“If all goes well, we will be thrilled to resume the 2019-20 season in just over two weeks’ time.”

It comes as England prepares to relax lockdown on Monday – with people able to meet safely in groups of six in a household’s garden or outdoors.

Reception, year one and year six students will also head back to classrooms but headteachers have warned they will look very different with strict social distancing measures in place.

Boris Johnson announced he would be easing the restrictions after the five crucial tests for lifting lockdown had been met.

But scientists have warned it is premature to ease lockdown restrictions.

Sir Jeremy Farrar and Professor John Edmunds, both members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies – which advises the Government on the coronavirus crisis – said ministers were taking risks by following their current plans.

They expressed concern at allowing the gradual reopening of shops and schools and larger gatherings to meet in private while the number of new cases each day remains “relatively high”.