The Premier League is gearing up for a restart next month.
Premier League clubs are scheduled to return to first-team training on Tuesday, which marks significant progress for Project Restart, even though the bottom six clubs don’t appear to be convinced by the idea.
They have their reasons — different to the clubs who aren’t fighting a relegation battle — but I would have concerns myself about the timing.
The biggest question right now is, ‘Is it safe?’ Although we must accept that football clubs in the top-flight are run as businesses, and many clubs in the lower will feel the pinch, the safety of players should come first.
An official statement from Premier League reads (via ManUtd.com): “Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to return to small-group training from tomorrow afternoon, the first step towards restarting the Premier League, when safe to do so.
“Step One of the Return To Training Protocol enables squads to train while maintaining social distancing. Contact training is not yet permitted. This first stage has been agreed in consultation with players, managers, Premier League club doctors, independent experts and the Government.
“Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible. The health and wellbeing of all participants is the Premier League’s priory, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process.”
There will be no contact training during phase one and, on top of that, players have been advised to turn their heads away while tackling to ensure maximum safety.
How will they see the ball and no accidentally break their opponents leg in the process? And, if there’s no contact allow, why are they tackling one another?
Every time they release something I think of more questions. Ones that won’t get answered.
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