Premier League Backs Clubs Who Want Neutral Venues Plan to be Reconsidered
The Premier
League says it has listened to the objections of some clubs to the use of
neutral grounds if the season resumes and will support them in putting those
views to the authorities.
Chief
executive Richard Masters said the organisation was in an "ongoing
dialogue" with government, police and ground safety officials.
"Everybody
would prefer to play at home and away if at all possible, and it's clear to see
some clubs feel more strongly about that than others," he said after a
shareholders' meeting.
"We are
in contact with the authorities and listening to that advice, while also
representing club views in those discussions."
He said
"a really strong collective will to complete the season remains" but
admitted that "curtailment" of the season was discussed for the first
time at the meeting.
Two weeks
ago clubs were told neutral stadiums were the only way the season could be
completed, because authorities were concerned about fans congregating outside
home grounds and breaching social distancing rules.
But at least
six clubs are opposed to the proposal in the Project Restart plan, with
Watford, Aston Villa and Brighton coming out publicly against it.
Those clubs
now want the chance to show they can deliver home and away matches safely, and
league bosses are behind them.
"Since
Covid became an issue we've been talking to the authorities about the
conditions in which we could get the Premier League back up and running and
taking all that advice on board, but it is an ongoing dialogue," said
Masters, speaking for the first time since the season was suspended.
"But
all must be cognisant of what authorities are telling us, and we'll continue
with that consultation."
The
government is understood to have "open ears" regarding neutral venues
and is prepared to discuss the matter. However a final decision is likely to
rest with the police and ground safety officials, who have to grant licences to
venues.
Last week
the head of the UK's football policing unit, deputy chief constable Mark
Roberts, said clubs opposed to neutral grounds should "get a grip".
Liverpool
mayor Joe Anderson also told the BBC he feared thousands of the club's fans
would gather outside Anfield to celebrate the title, even if matches were
played at neutral venues.
However,
recently retired West Yorkshire chief superintendent Owen West told the
Guardian that the use of neutral stadiums had "no rationale", and
such a proposal was not being enforced in Germany where the Bundesliga hopes to
resume this weekend.
Despite
mounting tension and division over the use of neutral stadiums, Masters said
Monday's five-hour meeting showed a "strong desire to discuss everything
in the round, and to agree a collective way forward".
He insisted
a "really strong collective will to complete the season remains".
But he also
admitted than a cancellation of the season was discussed for the first time.
"It's
the first time we've discussed curtailment," he said. "It's still our
aim to finish the season obviously, but it's important to discuss all of the
options with our clubs.
"Obviously
we won't be playing until the middle of June. It doesn't seem quite right to be
talking about playing before we've taken a decision to return to the first
stage of training.
"But in
terms of how those matches will take place there's a lot of water to pass under
the bridge, and we'll continue to assess the circumstances then.
"What
was agreed today was that players can extend their contracts beyond 30 June,
until the end of the season.
"It
must be agreed by both parties and a later date can be scheduled for that, no
later than 23 June so that date was pushed back a little to help with that
situation."
FROM .bbc.com/sport/football
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