The UK government has given the Premier League the green light to restart the season from 1 June. All the remaining fixtures set to be played behind closed doors until public safety can be guaranteed. This was contained in a new document titled, ‘Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy’. The document also warns that the lifting of restrictions is conditional upon the continued adherence to protocols which have been put in place to contain the spread of coronavirus.

“Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to reopen safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part. Nevertheless, the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows.

“In order to facilitate the fastest possible reopening of these types of higher-risk businesses and public places, the Government will carefully phase and pilot reopenings to test their ability to adopt the new Covid-19 secure guidelines.

“The Government will also monitor carefully the effects of reopening other similar establishments elsewhere in the world, as this happens. The Government will establish a series of task forces to work closely with stakeholders in these sectors to develop ways in which they can make these businesses and public places Covid-19 secure.”

Premier League clubs have been told they could have to repay an estimated £340m to domestic and international broadcasters – even if the season resumes behind closed doors. Also Premier League clubs voted to allow contract extensions for players whose current deals expire on June 30. Players at the end of loan spells can also extend their moves if all three parties involved are in agreement.