Premier League restart: relegation, training and return dates discussed by CEO Richard Masters | Football news

After a Premier League shareholder meeting on Monday, managing director Richard Masters Masters spoke with Sky Sports News and other media during a conference call to discuss the next steps for getting back into action.

Is there a deadline for the Premier League talks to end?

"No. We don't set a deadline, but the clubs know that we have to have a clear path to follow and that decisions must be made to create a clear path to follow, so this is an active discussion."

Did a club say they wanted to cut the season, And how many clubs have said they want relegation removed if the season starts again?

"None and none. No (the clubs said they wanted to exclude the decline), not at our meetings. At none of the meetings, last week or today."

"All I can follow is what we discuss in our meetings. And you specifically asked to eliminate relegation by playing the season, and that was never raised during of our formal meetings. "

What should you do to convince the authorities to allow clubs to use their own stadiums and not neutral sites?

"It's not a matter of convincing, because we have to listen to each other. I think some of our clubs would say that, regarding the vigilance of their own fans, they have a good relationship with them and that they encourage their own fans not to appear outside of their place of origin by playing behind closed doors.

"They are in a better position to control this, but it is not a convincing problem, it should be a decision that is made by each other."

Since Bundesliga clubs will use their own stadiums, why do we have to explore neutral places?

"It is … well, as you saw today, I would like to refer if I can, to the note from the stimulus program, which says" for transmission, avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact. "

"Obviously, it is the job and the responsibility of people to determine what is the best way to manage the risk of supporters appearing outside of football matches, and that is why we must listen carefully advice."

From a fan safety point of view?

"It's about securing fans, creating the least risk possible compared to fans who come to watch games outside of an in camera environment."

"Obviously, from the authorities' point of view, some authorities believe that playing these matches in approved stadiums, and not in the places of origin, is the safest way."

Is the proposal for a neutral location a decisive factor for clubs?

"Today we have discussed this issue with our clubs. I have said that this is a live issue and we will continue to discuss it . "

What role will the government play in finalizing its medical protocols?

"They met in consultation with a wide range of people, including people in government and government advisers.

“Sport has worked with the government as a whole to produce the reference document from which individual sports have been able to create their own protocols. At one point, we submitted our draft protocols to the government and it will review and submit them approved before we can clarify them.

"I do not know whether this reference document has been published or will be published."

Can you reveal division in neutral places? Wethe last six have told me, is that more?

"As I said at the start, all clubs would prefer to play at home and accept that this is a problem that needs to be resolved. That pretty much sums it up."

"It is fair to say that this is not a problem unique to any part of the league."

What if you can't persuade the authorities to change? Will clubs accept neutral locations?

"Discussions are underway. Dialogue is underway. It is not finished yet and no one is saying that it will do anything unless this problem is resolved.

"This is not the situation we find ourselves in and I want to be absolutely clear. No one says, 'We will only play if certain conditions are met'. It is not. This what they want the Premier League to do is open dialogue on this issue. We do not want to conduct this dialogue publicly. "

Is this an opportunity to unite the Premier League clubs?

"I wouldn't call it that way. There was an opinion that we were better together, better speak with one voice and act better at all times as a collective. It was a unanimous vision . "

Players and doctors voiced do you have confidence to take them with you?

"I think I said that there has been a lot of discussion today about the players, their importance and how clubs are determined as part of the consultation process and that their concerns and questions are They will do so later this week. "

"We are really talking about going back to training protocols. In isolation, it is your own decision. Whenever professional athletes return to training, they have the opportunity to train from different ways."

"The clubs have made it clear that the players should be properly consulted and their concerns should be heard. The first meetings are scheduled for later this week."

What happens if the players are positive like at Dynamo Dresden?

"As far as our training protocols are concerned, if a player was positive, as long as he distanced himself socially, as provided for in these training protocols, then that player would obviously be isolated for a period. "

"It is not necessary for the rest of the group to be isolated, as it would have been socially distant."

Have clubs discussed reducing the season?

"The discussions on reduction are contingency plans. All of the discussions relate to the completion of the season, but it is wise to consider what might happen in alternative scenarios. These discussions are confidential. "

Was the atmosphere in the meeting less hectic?

"I have never attended a really hectic meeting, they are always conducted in a professional manner. So I think that when we are faced with some of the challenges and complications of COVID-19, it is understandable that there are differences of opinion between the clubs. "

"The purpose of general meetings is to have group and collective discussions. I think last week was a good meeting and it is too.

"I think now, given the way clubs have come together today, I get the impression that people can see the momentum and some of the problems that people want resolve and discuss in these private forums are now starting to be discussed and discussed and I can see this building momentum. I don't recognize how you characterized it, but this is my version. "

On June 12, the goal of getting back into action is still underway?

"I really don't want to make a prediction now. We clearly have plans, but they are all flexible. I think that before you even decide to resume training, it's not well to start talking when I think we will play again. "

"There are lots of steps to take, many hurdles to overcome before getting to this point. And, of course, part of the government announcement (Sunday) focused on the danger of leadership Covid who could thwart these plans.

"So I think it's too early for us to talk about it, we want to follow the government and the authorities. We want to follow the mood of the football fans."

"I think the discussion right now should really focus on the interim measures we are taking now that announcements have been made regarding the return to training and only after the players have been consulted."

VSCould we see the first phase of training (in groups) start on May 18?

"It is possible, yes."

Do you see the relegated teams? at the end of the season?

"I think I said that if the season is going on, no one has suggested or spoken that relegation is not at stake. So on that basis, yes."

And if not, what is the situation?

"You are entering into the discussions we have had today about reduction and the positive decisions that need to be made. These discussions are confidential."

Two-thirds majority for a change: how does balance lie?

"I prefer to talk about the discussions over the course of the season than relegation."

If you play the season and someone raises the possibility of relegation, is that something you would hear?

"We do not expect it to grow."

How Will players be unable to play due to the underlying conditions?

"I don't have that information, no.

"I think this is part of the ongoing dialogue that we have with the clubs and certainly, as we look forward to resuming training, the physical condition of the players will be part of what we will be discussing with the clubs, absolutely . "

Are you confident in the reliability tests?

"Absolutely we are. I think it's a sister company to the one the Bundesliga uses. It meets the highest standards and has been tested, so we are sure, yes."

Do players have the option to veto a comeback if they don't feel comfortable?

"This is a hypothetical situation. We do not anticipate it and, obviously, what we are trying to do through all the discussions we have with medical groups and with the government with their medical advisers, it & # 39; s Is to create the safest environment possible for a return to training for the players, coaches, coaches and other staff who must participate.

"So we think we can create this safe environment. But we need to talk to the players about it. So, as I said before, it is fair for players to voice their concerns. It is fair for them to ; have concerns and questions and we need to hear them first. "

When will the return of training be contacted?

"If you ask what is going on in a situation contact formation, that is assessed on a case-by-case basis. It depends on what type of contact because you are obviously trying to make sure that the players stay safe even during this situation of contact contact and this should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. "

Is the concept of isolating entire teams in a safe environment under discussion until the end of the season? And if not, why not?

"I think this has probably been discussed, but it is not the preferred route at the moment and, ultimately, I think, in the opinion of health professionals, who are not, that They believe that the formula they have created is safe and appropriate. "

Will they build real test centers on each training ground? Has this been discussed?

"These are not test centers. These are places where tests can be performed. I think it would be difficult to call them test centers. When tests are organized, they should be done in a sort safe environment. Therefore, temporary facilities are planned. " .

There is a fairly high proportion of BAME players in the Premier League and emerging data indicates that they suffer disproportionately from COVID-19. Are there conditions in the protocol to cover this?

"This is an emerging science and we have to stay close to it. All I would say is that we are obviously trying to create a safe environment where young men are fit for all backgrounds, science seems to suggest that they would be safe, especially in the environment that we create for them. But as far as this science is concerned, we have to stay close to it and we have to recognize it and the to follow. "

What additional approval is required to begin contact training?

"If the question is:" What additional protocols should be developed for contact training, would this only come after small groups and training in socially distant groups? It is development if I understand correctly. "

How? 'Or' What How many weeks of group training before you can play safely? How many positive cases would be enough to allow a team to suspend a game?

"We haven't found a formula for any of these.

"The latter has not been discussed and the former relates to the basics. How long before we can return to full contact training, how much is required, is an ongoing debate. One thing is for sure: all clubs will have They must be safe, knowing their players will be in good shape before making the decision to return to the field, as they have been sacked for so long.

"We talked about four weeks of training, but we have not yet accepted because we have not yet agreed to re-train."