The Premier League could be played behind closed doors not just when this season resumes, but also for the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign.
According to reports, English top-flight clubs do not expect football to return to normal until a coronavirus vaccine is discovered.
The deadly disease has suspended English football for almost two months, but there are plans to restart the 2019/20 campaign on June 8.
The proposal would see the current season completed behind closed doors at neutral venues.
Sky Sports claim Premier League clubs are also preparing for the possibility of playing the 2020/21 season without fans.
Playing behind closed doors is expected to have a significant financial impact on Premier League clubs, with their main source of income, after television money, stemming from matchdays.
It could see several clubs begin to budget by spending hardly any money on transfers in the summer window.
Give COVID-19 the red card
The quicker we work together to stop coronavirus spreading, the sooner we can get back into the pubs, the gyms and stadiums and arenas to see live sport again…
STAY AT HOME. Only leave for the following purposes:
- to shop for basic essentials – only when you really need to
- to do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
- for any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
- to travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary
For more info and tips, visit the NHS website.
The government has also issued further detail on what we can do during lockdown.
Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.
Ray Parlour believes football may not return until next year amid coronavirus pandemic
Meanwhile, English agent Gary Williams claims he has spoken to Premier League chiefs about a proposal to end the current season in Australia.
He has also been in contact with the Australian government and Ministry for Sport and a proposal to play the remaining matches in Perth is being mooted.
Williams told The Sun: “I have had discussions with contacts at Premier League clubs and they like the idea.
“I have also spoken with government officials and they are enthusiastic. We are speaking again this week.
“Everybody is safe here. The government has lifted many restrictions.
“We are sitting round in groups of ten, we can walk around and the beaches are open. We have had four new cases in the last ten days.”
