Premier League clubs have unanimously voted to resume contact training; the governing body has announced.
It marks stage two of the league’s ‘Project Restart’ plans to resume the 2019/20 season.
After starting with small, socially-distanced training sessions, players and managers from the 20 top-flight clubs were briefed on proposals for the reintroduction of contact training on Tuesday.
The matter was voted on the following day by Premier League shareholders and has been given the green light as a mid-June return edges closer.
A statement read: “Premier League shareholders today voted unanimously to resume contact training, marking another step towards restarting the Premier League season, when safe to do so.
“Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact.
“The Premier League’s priority is the health and well-being of all participa
“Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week.
“Stage Two of the Return to Training protocol has been agreed following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the PFA, LMA and the Government.
“Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season, when conditions allow.”
However, social distancing will still apply to training grounds with team meetings not taking place as they’ll fall under the ‘unnecessary close contact’ category.
But a number of players, including Watford captain Troy Deeney and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, are not taking part in phase one of the return to training protocols because of concerns about coronavirus.
All 20 clubs have completed the third round of COVID-19 tests with results expected to be published by the Premier League on Wednesday afternoon.
Eight positive cases from 1,744 tests have been recorded across the first two rounds of testing.
On Thursday, the Premier League will discuss all other aspects of ‘Project Restart’, including the league’s contingency plans on relegation, the issue of the use of points-per-game, and the award of the Premier League title, if the season does end up being cancelled.
After starting with small, socially-distanced training sessions, players and managers from the 20 top-flight clubs were briefed on proposals for the reintroduction of contact training on Tuesday.
The matter was voted on the following day by Premier League shareholders and has been given the green light as a mid-June return edges closer.
A statement read: “Premier League shareholders today voted unanimously to resume contact training, marking another step towards restarting the Premier League season, when safe to do so.
“Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimizing any unnecessary close contact.
“The Premier League’s priority is the health and well-being of all participants.
“Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week.
“Stage Two of the Return to Training protocol has been agreed following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the PFA, LMA and the Government.
“Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season, when conditions allow.”
However, social distancing will still apply to training grounds with team meetings not taking place as they’ll fall under the ‘unnecessary close contact’ category.
But a number of players, including Watford captain Troy Deeney and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, are not taking part in phase one of the return to training protocols because of concerns about coronavirus.
All 20 clubs have completed the third round of COVID-19 tests with results expected to be published by the Premier League on Wednesday afternoon.
Eight positive cases from 1,744 tests have been recorded across the first two rounds of testing.
On Thursday, the Premier League will discuss all other aspects of ‘Project Restart’, including the league’s contingency plans on relegation, the issue of the use of points-per-game, and the award of the Premier League title, if the season does end up being canceled.
