Premier League to issue clubs with update on procedures for fans’ October return

Posted Thursday, August 06, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Premier League stadiums have remained empty since Project Restart got underway but there had been plans for fans to be allowed back into stadiums by the start of October

The Premier League is still hopeful of getting fans back into stadiums by October.

This is despite recent attempts to allow spectators into other sporting events such as the World Snooker Championships and Goodwood being abandoned.

There are still fears of another wave of coronavirus and this has put back those efforts that had been planned.

Work is ongoing using Test and Trace procedures to keep a hold on the risk of allowing fans back into Premier League matches and “clinical passports” for supporters are being put forward as a possible solution.

The 20 Premier League must also decide whether to continue with five substitutes instead of three for the 2020-21 campaign.

It would take the agreement of 14 of the 20 clubs to keep the extra changes which are generally felt to favour the biggest clubs who have the deeper playing reserves.

Premier League to issue clubs with update on procedures for fans’ October return

The rest of the agenda will be taken up with a run-down of how VAR will look now FIFA have taken control at Stockley Park.

Referees in the middle will be encouraged to give more subjective decisions by consulting video monitors pitch-side rather than relying on their colleagues feeding them information from their perch in front of the monitor.

However, the control of the system is again likely to be left in the hands of Mike Riley with FIFA coordinators occasionally checking in to maintain consistency around the world.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said at the end of July: "The October 1 deadline is certainly the target that we’re looking at.

Premier League to issue clubs with update on procedures for fans’ October return

"If you look at various announcements we’ve made, some have been put forward, some have been pushed back, but that’s a pretty firm one.

"In the whole scheme of things, it’s not that far away – 60-something days and we’ll be there – so I would be surprised if that date was moved.

"There are particular challenges with certain sports. People have got to realise if you don’t behave, you won’t have more people in stadiums.

"They’ve got to take that personal responsibility and realise that if they don’t behave appropriately they’re risking the game for everybody."

The 20 Premier League must also decide whether to continue with five substitutes instead of three for the 2020-21 campaign.

It would take the agreement of 14 of the 20 clubs to keep the extra changes which are generally felt to favour the biggest clubs who have the deeper playing reserves.