One of the major obstacles to ‘Project Restart’ appears to have been overcome as Premier League matches may now be allowed to take place at their usual stadiums.
Several clubs expressed opposition against plans to resume at neutral venues, including Brighton and Aston Villa, and there were fears that local authorities would not allow football to return any other way.
Now, however, the Daily Mail reports that ‘a number’ of police forces have no issue with games being played at the usual venues.
They will require certain safety criteria to be met – the primary one being that clubs recruit enough stewards to ensure social distancing can be adhered to if fans turn up at stadiums.
The issue of supporters heading to stadiums was said to be a key factor behind the proposal to play games at neutral venues, but it is considered just as likely that fans will head to these neutral stadiums anyway.
As long as clubs agree to pay for the officers required for the necessary stewarding criteria, games going ahead at the 20 Premier League grounds appears to be on the cards.
Danny Murphy thinks footballers will be desperate to play again, even if it’s behind closed doors – If the stadium is safe, I’ll play tomorrow.
Several clubs battling against the drop had complained about the loss of home advanage and the increased threat of relegation if football took place at neutral venues.
Villa chief executive Christian Purslow told talkSPORT last week: “We are a club that prides itself on our home form; I think two thirds of our wins this season have come at home.
“We’ve got six home games left to play so I think any Villa fan will agree that giving up that advantage is a massive decision for somebody running Aston Villa.
“And I certainly wouldn’t agree to that, unless the circumstances were right.”
