Coronavirus: Premier League clubs set to meet on Thursday to outline plan for rest of campaign
Uefa shared comittment on Tuesday to completing all European club football competitions by 30 June
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Premier League clubs will gather via conference call on Thursday morning to discuss fixtures and finances amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Top-flight action is suspended until 4 April at the earliest and measures around social distancing mean no clubs will be present in person for the meeting.
Uefa’s gathering of football stakeholders on Tuesday ended with an outline commitment to completing domestic competitions across Europe by 30 June, and the decision to postpone Euro 2020 to the summer of 2021 has given competition organisers like the Premier League greater wriggle room.
It is understood that no decisions will be taken on what would happen in the event of it becoming impossible for the competition to restart, with the focus primarily on how the fixture schedule could be completed.
Match day revenue is still an important consideration, even at Premier League level, but far less so than in the EFL, meaning clubs are likely to be more open to the idea of playing matches behind closed doors if it is deemed safe to do so over the next month or two.
Clubs are expected to share their experiences so far of how the pandemic has affected them financially, and the implications of a longer-term suspension of competition.
The league is understood to be in ongoing dialogue with its broadcast partners, whose schedules have been decimated by the widespread cancellation of sporting events.
The news that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta had tested positive for coronavirus late last Thursday night was one of the key developments that led to the league being suspended until early next month.
The Gunners gave an update to say that the squad remained on course to return to their London Colney training base next Tuesday.
Arteta is understood to be feeling better and in good spirits.
Chelsea staff who had close personal contact with Callum Hudson-Odoi, who also tested positive for Covid-19, are still self-isolating, but the training ground at Cobham is operational.
Blues boss Frank Lampard said on Tuesday that Hudson-Odoi was making good progress and “almost feels his usual self”.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments