UK government authorises return of live sport

PTI, May 31, 2020, 9:22 AM IST

Premier League football is scheduled to restart on June 17.

The guidance, drawn up in consultation  with public health officials and governing bodies, forms the third stage of British sport’s return from lockdown.

Stage two, which allowed for close-contact and competitive training for elite athletes, was published last Monday.

Sport has now moved closer to resuming, with Dowden telling a Downing Street press conference on Saturday: “I’m delighted to announce today that the government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday (June 1) at the earliest.”

It will now be up to individual sports to carry out their own risk assessments, with Dowden saying they “know their sport” best.

As well as ensuring no spectators are present, sports bodies must also fulfil  severalother conditions if their events are to go ahead.

Everyone entering a venue must be screened for the coronavirus and anyone suspected of having COVID-19 must be placed in isolation.

Movement channels will be established at grounds, while social distancing must be maintained “where possible” even for substitutes sitting on a bench, while players have been warned against celebrations with their team-mates.

Meanwhile dressing room use is to be kept  toa minimum, although competitors will still be allowed to use showers.

Premier League chief executive Richard  Masterss they “welcomed” Dowden’s statement, adding: “We have provisionally planned to restart the Premier Leag ue on 17 June, but there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”

But while accepting further consultations with clubs, players and managers were still needed, Masters said: “If all goes well, we will be thrilled to resume the 2019/20 season in just over two weeks’ time.