Premier League clubs have unanimously approved return to play protocols and a matchday operations plan ahead of the competition’s scheduled restart next week.
The PA news agency understands protocols for the third stage of Project Restart – following socially-distanced training and full contact training – were signed off at the league’s shareholders’ meeting on Thursday.
#BREAKINGNEWS: Liverpool's Ground Safety Advisory Group have recommended that Anfield and Goodison Park can host football matches behind closed doors, without spectators, to help conclude the 2019/20 Premier League Season.Full statement below: pic.twitter.com/WSDoRgffNI— Liverpool City Council (@lpoolcouncil) June 10, 2020
The protocols cover every aspect of on-pitch conduct and operations within stadia, with a strictly limited number of personnel permitted inside and outside the venue.
As it stands the only game which could be played at a neutral venue in the first three full rounds of fixtures is City’s match against Liverpool on July 2. Manchester City Council’s safety advisory group must meet to make a decision regarding that fixture.
On Wednesday, Liverpool City Council’s Ground Safety Advisory Group gave the go-ahead for Goodison Park and Anfield to stage matches in the remainder of the 2019-20 season, which means Goodison will host the Merseyside derby on Sunday, June 21.
All of the remaining 92 matches will be televised, with 33 of those games available free to air.
