Coronavirus: Premier League 'as confident as we can be' about June return
Last updated on .From the section Football
The Premier League is "as confident as we can be" about restarting in June, says chief executive Richard Masters.
Players resumed training on Tuesday, the day it was announced there had been six positive tests for coronavirus across three clubs.
The Premier League, suspended on 13 March, had previously identified 12 June as a possible restart date.
"There is some momentum. We've taken the first step," Masters told BBC Sport.
"It's great for everybody, including the fans, to see our players back on the training ground."
Asked what date the Premier League was targeting for a return, Masters said it must be "flexible" and could learn from the resumption of the Bundesliga last weekend.
He also recognised the need for "contingency plans" and said "curtailment is still a possibility", meaning the season would be ended, but there was "optimism" fans could attend matches next season.
Masters also admitted the idea of scrapping relegation "would come up for discussion" and was "a significant topic".
"That will be part of the debate we have," he said. "What would happen in that environment (curtailment of season) is something we're yet to discuss with the clubs."
Football Association Chairman Greg Clarke told the Premier League clubs at their last meeting that the governing body would oppose the scrapping of relegation.
"I can't speak for the FA but obviously they have their own views on it and until we've discussed it as clubs and as a collective we can't really talk further about it," Masters added.
Phase one of the return to training features small groups training with social distancing maintained.
On Wednesday culture secretary Oliver Dowden said phase two - the return of contact training in elite sports - could get government approval "later this week".
Masters said the Premier League would not take this next step until it was safe to do so.
"We wouldn't have taken the first step to get back to training if we weren't convinced we had created a very safe environment for our players," he said.
"It is the first step and we have to be sure when we go to contact training we have completed those processes."
'We think it is safe to return'
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante will train at home because of coronavirus fears and Watford captain Troy Deeney will not return to training.
The Premier League hosted video conference calls "to provide health reassurances" to club captains and managers before training recommenced.
The league began testing players and staff for coronavirus again on Friday after six tested positive on Tuesday, a result Masters was "reassured by" given it represented less than 1% of tests.
"Our sympathies are with everybody who has tested positive," he said. "A few of them were surprised because they were asymptomatic."
Earlier this month, a number of club doctors raised concerns with league bosses over plans to resume the season and Masters said the Premier League "were very surprised to hear that".
"We ran a very thorough consultation with club doctors," he added.
"We have done everything we possibly can to make return to training as safe as possible.
"We think it is safe to return. We have to respect players' decisions not to return to training. I would be comfortable to return to training."
Should matches resume and Liverpool - 25 points clear at the top of the table - secure their first title in 30 years, Masters said they should be allowed a trophy presentation "if we can find a way of doing it".
But some people are worried about fans gathering outside Anfield, and Masters said the potential for crowds of supporters was "a concern".
Masters said the Premier League wanted "to play out the season as much as possible at home and away venues".
"We're talking to the authorities about that," he added.
"I do believe we can appeal to fans not to congregate outside football grounds or go to other people's houses to watch football matches in contravention of government guidelines."
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It's not proper sport really is it?
As for Savage calling Downing Street and calling it a working man's game just shows how utterly deluded he is - working man's game at £50+ per ticket!
I am a Man Utd fan, but recognise success when I see it, regardless of club. Liverpool have smashed this season.
Well it's actually a business which directly/indirectly employs 100,000 people in the UK
Given the lengths football has gone to, to ensure it can return safely. Why can it not return (in June) when many other businesses are expected to return?
Seems like those with a null and void agenda are just looking for any reason they can find
It won't be safe for fans to return till a vaccine is developed which could be years. By that time all but the richest clubs will be extinct.
Behind closed doors isn't what we want but it's the only solution at this time.
Yes they will all be tested. The premier league have purchased 40,000 tests from Hong Kong, you don't think they're all for the players do you?
I wish every business was paying for testing of their employees, the UK would be in a much better position right now!
It's almost as if they do care, but they're pretending not to cos they think that if enough of them pretend not to care, then football just wont bother returning and the season will be voided. Pathetic
Fans are worried for the players' health but are ok sharing one toilet with thousands of others on a beach in Skegness.
It's strange how people's opinions change to suit their own agenda.
Savage makes Rooney seem intelligent.
Why doesn't he rent somewhere for a month or so then he can play, protect his family and help his team-mates avoid relegation?
Who is the best team never to have won the league?
Who is the best import from France in the league?
Which player had the craziest haircut?
Which football strip has been the most psychedelic?
every day to keep the writers busy- or would we :)