Premier League announce new social distancing rules – with players ALLOWED to celebrate together again

PREMIER LEAGUE players have been told to carry on social distancing before games – but WILL be able to celebrate goals. League bosses have drawn up a new list of protocols for the early part of the season with many similar to last season, even though the country is slowly returning to normal. Dressing rooms […]

PREMIER LEAGUE players have been told to carry on social distancing before games – but WILL be able to celebrate goals.

League bosses have drawn up a new list of protocols for the early part of the season with many similar to last season, even though the country is slowly returning to normal.

AFP

Premier League players will be allowed to celebrate goals together again[/caption]

Dressing rooms will be socially distanced and the players will be asked to avoid close contact in the pre-match warm-ups.

Also like last season, the two teams will walk out onto the pitch after each other rather than together at the same time.

But once the games start, everything will feel back to normal and players will be free to celebrate.

This is in contrast to last term when players were urged not to get too close to each other – even though this was generally ignored.

The Premier League will continue to test players twice a week and will also ask for continued social distancing at the training ground with players spending a limited amount of time receiving medical treatment.

These latest Covid-19 protocols will be in place until October 1 at the earliest.

In the latest round of testing, there were nine positive test results.

The Premier League starts with Brentford’s home game with Arsenal on Friday and the stadiums this weekend will all be at full capacity.

Ticket-holders must comply with the Supporter Code of Conduct which includes wearing masks in indoor areas while one-way systems will continue at grounds.

Supporters will be asked to either have proof they are double-jabbed or have had a lateral flow within 48 hours but this is only guidance and cannot be enforced as the government has yet to introduce rules for large gatherings.

Reuters

Stadiums will operate at full capacity although their will be some changes for fans[/caption]

The Premier League also confirmed its plans to introduce League-wide bans to tackle discriminiation.

All 20 clubs have agreed to enforce new League-wide punishments, including bans, for any individual found to have behaved in a discriminatory or abusive way towards any club employee, player, match official, matchday steward or fans attending a Premier League match. 

This will cover behaviour conducted in-person or online. 

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League and our clubs condemn all forms of discriminatory and abusive behaviour.

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“The commitment from all clubs to enforce League-wide bans demonstrates there is no place for discrimination of any kind in football and we will continue to work together to fight all forms of prejudice.

“Football is a diverse sport, which brings together communities from all backgrounds. We call on fans to come together with us and our clubs to help tackle discrimination by challenging and reporting abuse wherever they see it.”

Players and match officials will wear a ‘No Room For Racism’ sleeve badge on their shirts for the 2021/22 season. 

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