Report reveals plans to stage inter-PL friendlies before restart

Joe Williams
Premier League coronavirus

Premier League clubs plan to stage friendlies against other teams in the division at training grounds ahead of the resumption of the season, according to reports.

The 20 English top-flight sides have voted unanimously in favour of protocols for a return to contact training, which is expected to start as soon as Thursday for those clubs which have already completed the necessary risk assessments.

That followed positive feedback on the plans from players and managers at a meeting on Tuesday.


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That has seen a big boost to the hopes of ‘Project Restart’ with hopes the Premier League season can get back underway in the middle to end of June.

And The Athletic reporters David Ornstein and Laurie Whitwell say ‘the general mood in the Premier League is a positive one’ despite a few players raising issues about a possible return.

That has led to more forward thinking with clubs now apparently considering the best ways to get their players up to match sharpness.

The report in The Athletic added: ‘Clubs and players feel that waiting an extra week or two is worth it if it means players are fitter, as games will be of a higher standard.

‘Part of that extra build-up would be one or two friendly matches against other Premier League teams, most likely at training grounds and within a short distance of each other where possible. These games would likely take place within 10 days of the restart.’

 

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