The Premier League chief executive says there is an ‘ongoing dialogue’ with the government and other authorities about finishing the current campaign at neutral grounds.
Richard Masters has revealed Premier League clubs held talks over curtailing the 2019/20 season for the first time on Monday.
The government has said sport can resume behind closed doors in the UK from June 1.
Following Monday’s shareholders’ meeting, Masters insists the Premier League wants to finish the season.
He said: ”It was the first time we discussed curtailment – it’s still our aim to finish the season obviously but it’s important to discuss all the options with our clubs.
“The contents of that discussion have to remain confidential.
“What I can say is that all of the talk was about finishing the season. No conclusions were reached on any other models. Those are future conversations we may need to have.”
The Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’ proposal aims to resume the season on June 12.
Playing at neutral venues behind closed doors appears to be one of the solutions for football to return.
However, that idea has been met with public criticism from relegation-threatened clubs Watford, Brighton and Aston Villa.
Masters added: “I think everybody would prefer to play home and away if at all possible. And I think it’s clear to see that some clubs feel more strongly about that than others.
“It is an ongoing dialogue and obviously since Covid-19 became an issue we’ve been talking to the authorities about the conditions in which we could get the Premier League back up and running and taking all that advice on board.
“But it is an ongoing dialogue. There is not much I can say about that, other than we are in contact with the authorities and listening to that advice while also representing club views in those discussions.”
Masters confirmed that players’ contracts expiring on June 30 can be extended beyond that date.
He said: “What was agreed today is that players can extend their contracts beyond June 30 until the end of the season.
“But it must be agreed by both parties and a later date can be scheduled for that, no later than June 23.”
