EPL mulls early end even as government clears path to resuming

Potentially ending English Premier League was discussed by clubs on Monday even as government cleared a path to resuming competition in June if re is new spike in coronavirus infections. While spectators will t be allowed into stadiums for some time, British government embraced return of professional sports in contrast to rulings by French and Dutch authorities who have banned any events until September. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told House of Commons that restoring some sports “could provide a much-needed boost to national morale" after being shut down as Britain went into lockdown in March.

But Premier League also has contingencies if games cant resume, with clubs divided over use of neutral stadiums, or if it is t safe eugh and season has to be abandoned. “It was first time we discussed curtailment," Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said after a conference call with clubs. “It’s still our aim to finish season but it’s important to discuss all options with our clubs." conclusions were reached on wher that would involve finalizing league standings based on a points-per-game formula as French league did before declaring Paris Saint-Germain champion.

Liverpool is 25 points clear in Premier League with nine games remaining but clubs remain divided over accepting a plan promoted by police to use neutral venues for all games to limit burden on authorities.

“Everybody would prefer to play home and away if at all possible,” Masters said. “It’s clear to see that some clubs feel more strongly about that than ors. It is an ongoing dialogue and ... we are in contact with authorities and listening to that advice while also representing club views in those discussions.”

Britain’s official coronavirus death toll stood on Monday at 32,065, highest in Europe and second highest in world after United States. While number of new kwn deaths and infections is falling, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it would be “madness” to loosen restrictions so much that re is a new surge in cases. But government anunced that step two of its plan for easing lockdown included allowing "sporting events to take place behind closed doors for broadcast, while avoiding risk of large scale social contact.” “To aid planning,” document added, “ government’s current aim is that second step will be made earlier than Monday 1 June, subject to se conditions being satisfied. ... Organizations should prepare accordingly.”

Premier League and or sports organizers will w be waiting to hear when government will allow resumption of group training by athletes, even as social distancing regulations are maintained in wider society. “We are making some progress on that,” Masters said. “We have protocols created and reviewed, we have a testing company appointed, but important consultation with players and manrs is next step." challenge of containing coronavirus without a vaccine will mean sports will be std without fans. government said permitting large crowds in stadiums again “may only be fully possible significantly later depending on reduction in numbers of infections.”