Clubs in the Premier League have voted to resume training on Tuesday in a much-needed encouragement for football to resume following weeks of meetings and discussions amid the coronavirus.
The announcement was made during a virtual conference meeting involving all 20 clubs on Monday morning, where the agreement was met for players to return to action.
Prior to this, players at a number of Premier League clubs have been training in isolation.
However, they will now be permitted to work together in groups of five from Tuesday as long as social distancing rules are strictly followed
To proceed with first phase of the return to training, Premier League officials needed at least 14 positive votes, in which all contact between players is banned.
Balls, cones, corner flags, goalposts, playing surfaces and other equipment will be disinfected. after every training day.
Other guidelines include that players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and they will be required to complete a temperature check and fill in a questionnaire before each session.
According to a statement released by the Premier League: “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.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: MURIC advices Mosques against re-opening
“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 priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process.
“Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA and LMA as protocols for full-contact training are developed.”
Other rules contained in the phase one include players not travelling with anyone to or from training, while the use of public transport and team vehicles is prohibited.
Stars have been given a comprehensive version of a 40-page document which states the new safety guidelines for training sessions, which will be a maximum of 75 minutes each.
On Monday a number of clubs will test players and staff for the virus in a bit to resume training on either Wednesday or Thursday.
Clubs have informed their players their results should be available 24 hours after their tests.
A return to training was discussed by clubs, managers, players and officials from the Professional Footballers’ Association and League Managers’ Association last week.
Every player who returns to training will need to provide written confirmation that they have received and agree to their club’s Covid-19 operational policy.
Each club must also appoint a dedicated ‘Covid-19 officer’ who is not a member of their medical staff to oversee player and staff safety during the return to training and when the campaign restarts.
The Premier League hope to resume games in the second half of June, although in order to complete the campaign, they are willing to extend the season until the end of August.
READ ALSO: FIFA Plans Football Match For Fight Against Coronavirus
Leave a Reply