Premier League restart in doubt as managers demand June 12 plans are scrapped - 7M sport

Premier League restart in doubt as managers demand June 12 plans are scrapped



Posted Thursday, May 14, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Premier League restart in doubt as managers demand June 12 plans are scrapped
Premier League restart is in doubt (Image: GETTY)

Premier League action could return next month amid the coronavirus chaos.

The Premier League's proposed restart in June is in doubt after managers asked for more time to prepare their players. A provisional date of June 12 was put forward for Premier League games to return. However, it's understood Premier League bosses have raised their concerns about the season returning. Managers feel they need more time to prepare their players for the rest of the campaign.

Premier League bosses were today given protocols on how players can return to training amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Managers responded to the presentation on the conference call, with many hoping to be given more time to prepare their squads.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho led the calls for a full month of training before the season starts.

With May 18 pencilled in as the first possible day of group sessions, it seems to end hopes of getting games on by June 12.

While Jurgen Klopp seemed relaxed when addressing the gathering after the protocols for going back to training were explained to the 20 managers by the Premier League's medical officer Mark Gillett, Southampton's Ralph Hasenhuttl was another who was vocal about rushing back too soon.

It's understood Premier League stars could refuse to play even if Project Restart is given the green light.

Clubs feel players who suffer with asthma and stars who have family members with health issues will not agree to play.

Professional Footballers’ Association chairman Gordon Taylor believes Project Restart can be achievable as long as players receive the assurances they need.

He said: “We’ve got the best possible people available to answer the questions on different issues like testing, if someone tests positive, spitting, social distancing and BAME players with regard to the data which suggestions they are more susceptible.

“It’s about giving the reassurances to players and what they are asking to make sure everything that can be done is being done as far as possible.

“If you’re asking me, with the type of guarantees or assurances that would give confidence to the players then it’s achievable.

“It is a step-by-step process. It’s like I’ve said from the beginning, it’s one bridge at a time. But this is a key month. It’s one month at a time and we’ve got to take it slowly but carefully and see how thing develop.

“For certain it will be an opportunity for them to express their feelings, they will also need to be comfortable and confident with the answers and assurances they are given. It’s quite as straightforward as that.

“It’s all those type of assurances really. It’s really difficult to prejudge and it’s going to be on a club-by-club basis with regard to their own circumstances and I just want to make sure that any questions that players have are answered.

“We’ve got to try it, see it if we can do it and see if we can return to some form of activity. But it’s also being as careful and having as many assurances as possible that it’s achievable.

“We have to be open minded. There’s a balance between what you hope can be done and what is realistic to achieve.”



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