EXCLUSIVE: Premier League may move out of the Covid-era by the end of the season with talks about lifting ALL restrictions being held at a shareholders meeting today
- The raft of Covid-19 restrictions were implemented at the start of the pandemic
- But the Premier League will today discuss moving away from the coronavirus era
- If clubs agree to drop rules, the top-flight is likely to adopt a phased approach
- The news opens the door to normality returning for first time since early 2020
The Premier League are today discussing moving English football out of the Covid-era – potentially by the end of the season.
Sportsmail has learned that the possibility of lifting all Covid restrictions, that have been strictly implemented at clubs since the pandemic took grip in 2020, is on the agenda at today’s shareholders meeting of all 20 clubs.
The development comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined plans to lift all remaining restrictions within weeks.
If clubs agree to completely get rid of the constraints then it is highly likely that the Premier League will take a phased approach to lifting them.
But the news opens the door to the top-flight going back to normality for the first time since early 2020.
The Premier League will today discuss the possibility of dropping all coronavirus restrictions
A raft of rules, including mandatory Covid passes, were introduced to protect top-flight games
Strict rules at training grounds and stadiums have been in place since Project Restart in mid-2020.
Regular testing, coloured zones, the use of PPE and restrictions on pre and post match media activities have become the norm in the Premier League.
And while those restrictions will not be lifted in one fell swoop, there is a hope that many of them can go before the end of the campaign – and certainly in time for the start of next season – provided each phase proves successful.
There is a sense at the Premier League that the competition should mirror general society – and if the Government press ahead with removing all remaining Covid red-tape then the game should follow suit.
Regular testing, coloured zones and the heavy use of PPE has become the norm in the division
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk