Premier League clubs gave unanimous approval to the initial return-to-training protocols when they gathered for a conference call on Monday.
Here the PA news agency sets out some of the key components of how training will operate during the coronavirus pandemic.
– When will it start?
Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to return to small group training from Tuesday afternoon – the first step towards restarting the Premier League, when safe to do so
Full statement: https://t.co/8F3qJxZssV pic.twitter.com/nEdWoQ8EGI
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 18, 2020
The league’s chief executive Richard Masters said small group training can begin on Tuesday afternoon, once the results of the first round of testing are known.
– What are players being asked to do?
Players must arrive wearing kit, and are being asked to leave three parking spaces between their car and any other vehicle. Newcastle have told their players they must wear a mask or other face covering at all times.
– Once they have arrived, what happens then?
– How are the protocols going to be enforced?
– What about testing?
Players will be tested twice a week, with 40 tests per session, as part of an agreement with Prenetics, whose associates and suppliers are also working with the Bundesliga and companies outside of sport such as Deliveroo.
– How accurate is it?
– Will the Premier League’s testing programme impact on the country’s wider supply for front-line services?
Lasarow says there will be no impact on supply. “As an organisation we are absolutely not taking away any testing from the Government’s ability to test anyone who is identified as needing tests,” he said.
– How will clubs monitor symptoms?
– How will positive tests be reported?
Masters says the league will publish the number of positive tests after each round is conducted.
“Clearly because of confidentiality we won’t be identifying any of the clubs or the individuals,” he said.
“We plan to do that in co-ordination with the clubs at every testing phase. So every time there is a test, if there’s an update and anything to tell we will be transparent and open about that.”
He said it would be for clubs and their players to decide what happens in terms of reporting in each individual case.
– What must a player do if they test positive?
– When will clubs move on to contact training?
Masters said clubs will discuss protocols for the next stage on Tuesday, May 26.
