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Premier League plans to return on June 8 as clubs sent new timetable to finish season despite coronavirus crisis

30 April 2020 16:23 (UTC +04:00)

The Premier League is planning to return on June 8, with clubs sent a proposed new timetable to finish the season despite the coronavirus pandemic, APA reports citing The Sun.

The top-flight is aiming to return in just six weeks.

But now league chiefs have sent a games schedule around to all 20 clubs ahead of a crunch meeting on Friday.

The best-case scenario would see the first behind-closed-doors games take place on Monday June 8, meaning training would resume in mid-May.

And The Telegraph claim the plan will be discussed individually with clubs in a bid to get the proposed schedule approved this week.

However, the entire concept is based on the current coronavirus lockdown measures being eased - with football in France being being cancelled after it was extended.

With the next Government review of the lockdown due to take place on May 7, it is still unclear whether restrictions will be relaxed in time for the Premier League's desired return date.

Under the proposed plan, players are set to be tested for Covid-19 over the weekend of May 8 and 9 before returning to training in small groups from Monday May 11.

Some clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham, have already returned to training little by little, while still observing social distancing rules.

The Government has warned football will not be given any special treatment and players and staff would still need to be tested before play resumes.

Stars could be forced to train under quarantine and there have even been talks of players turning up for sessions already in their kits to avoid changing rooms.

Mass testing will be made available for all players, staff and media at training grounds and stadiums as they desperately try to cram all remaining fixtures into just a six-week period.

But clubs also face the prospect of playing as late as August - with the Big Six leading the charge AGAINST ending the season early on June 30.

Uefa want the Champions League final played on August 29 and would not expect domestic leagues to continue beyond that point.

Meanwhile, the FA Cup is also set to resume with rounds taking place in their original game-weeks within the Premier League schedule.

A PL spokesperson said: “It is our objective to complete the 2019-20 season but all dates are tentative while the impact of Covid-19 develops.”