However, when the Premier League formulated detailed rules to resume collective training and strive to restart the game on June 8th, the opposition of all parties was heard.
Xinhua News Agency, London, April 30th question: there are many obstacles to restarting the Premier League
Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
The British epidemic “has passed its peak”, it seems that the Premier League seeking to restart in early June has seen more dawn. However, the “abrupt end” of the Dutch and French leagues, the clear opposition of medical treatment, government officials and the panic of the players all made the Premier League seem difficult to finish this season.
Although UEFA repeatedly called on its associations, especially the top leagues, to try their best to finish the match, the football season in Holland and France still announced to give up halfway, because both governments have extended the ban on large-scale public assembly activities to at least 9 months ago.
Like any league, whether the Premier League can be restarted depends mainly on the government’s policies to deal with the epidemic. British Prime Minister Johnson announced on April 30 that Britain’s new crown epidemic “has passed its peak” and “is in the process of going downhill”. How to resume work and study in the next stage in Britain, restarting the economy will also release a detailed plan next week.
However, at the time when the Premier League formulated detailed rules to resume collective training and strive to restart the game on June 8th, the opposition of all parties was heard.
De Hogg, the chairman of FIFA Medical Committee, has made it clear that from the standpoint of doctors, he does not recommend that the competition be resumed this season to avoid the second outbreak peak of the new coronavirus epidemic.
The Belgian said bluntly: “In my long career, I have seen too many situations that need to find a balance between economy and health, and most of them are economic victories. If there is a situation where medical views should prevail over economic arguments, it is now. This is not a matter of money, but life and death. It is as simple as that.”
Liverpool mayor Anderson thinks the Premier League restart plan is “unrealistic”. In his view, even in closed-door games, it is inevitable that fans will gather outside the stadium. Even if the rest of the matches were played in the neutral stadium, he still felt that many people would go outside the Anfield Stadium to celebrate.
Anderson said frankly that when the weather was good, it was already very difficult for the police to go to the park to prevent people from gathering. If the fans celebrate together, it will be more difficult for the police to keep everyone social distance. “The police are very worried about this and public health officials are also very worried. Therefore, we call on the Premier League and the government to consider our concerns.”
Anderson suggested that Liverpool, which leads by 25 points, be awarded the championship trophy and then announce the end of the season.
It’s about a huge amount of retransmission fee. The Premier League and clubs obviously won’t give up easily. However, the main players on the field may not be so firm. Manchester City striker Aguero said bluntly: “Most players are afraid because they have children and families.” The 31-year-old Argentine said that once he really wants to return to the stadium, he and his teammates will definitely be quite nervous and will be very careful.
Brighton striker Murray said that a match was not just as simple as two players, but involved many people and threatened them. Moreover, once training or competition, there will be an ambulance at the scene. “Is it really appropriate to occupy medical resources in this case? I don’t know “.
Anyway, 20 clubs in the Premier League still have to hold a meeting on May 1st to discuss the restart plan, and some of the detailed rules that may be implemented to resume collective training revealed by the media are “difficult enough”. For example, Murray suggested that players should wear masks or bandana scarves covering their mouths and noses from beginning to end. Murray thought it was completely impossible. For example, the staff should be “fully armed” to disinfect football, goal, corner flag, etc. Some suppliers said that their protective clothing was not enough for the medical system. Besides, 48 hours before the training, the club will receive virus testing for the players twice a week. Even if the Premier League pays and purchases from non-governmental channels, can it really ensure timely and sufficient?
Now, the biggest expectation of the Premier League is to see how the Bundesliga intends to resume the match in early May, and then make a decision before the deadline set by Uefa on May 25.