Premier League clubs hope to give their players the go-ahead to return to training in small groups this week.

 

But there is a growing feeling the intended 12 June date for matches to start again will need to be pushed back.

 

A vote is due to take place on training and medical protocols when the 20 top-flight clubs hold their next meeting on Monday morning.

 

If passed, players would be able to train in groups of five from Tuesday.

 

That would be on condition that they observe social distancing rules and adhere to a series of strict criteria, which include getting changed at home and driving to training grounds on their own.

Arsenal are taking a report striker Alexandre Lacazette inhaled nitrous oxide from a balloon "seriously".

 

An article in the Daily Star showed the France striker pictured with a balloon in his mouth and he is said to have sent a video to friends.

 

An Arsenal spokesperson added that it was "a private matter" that would be "handled internally".

 

Lacazette has previously been warned about a similar offence of inhaling the substance, also known as laughing gas.

Surprise inspections, GPS tracking and video analysis are methods that could be used to ensure clubs adhere to new safety guidance as they prepare for the resumption of the Premier League.

 

Teams agreed to start non-contact training in small groups from Tuesday.

 

"Gradually, we aim to ramp that up so we can have an inspector at every training ground," said Richard Garlick, the league's director of football.

 

"That will enable us to give confidence the protocols are being complied with."

 

He added: "We are looking at bringing in our own independent audit inspection team that we'll scale up over the next few days which will give us the ability to have inspections at training grounds to start with on a no-notice basis."

 

After Monday's 'Project Restart' meeting with clubs, Richard Masters, Premier League's chief executive, also revealed that a trophy presentation for the title winners, likely to be Liverpool, remains part of the plans.

 

He said: "We would try to do it unless it wasn't possible because of safety concerns."

 

At the meeting, Premier League clubs agreed to stage one of the return-to-training protocols. As well as training in small groups of no more than five, sessions must last no longer than 75 minutes for each player. Social distancing must be adhered to.

 

The first stage "has been agreed in consultation with players, managers, club doctors, independent experts and the government".

 

The league had previously identified 12 June for matches to possibly start again, but there is now an expectation this will need to be pushed back.

 

A Premier League statement added: "Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible.

 

"The health and wellbeing of all participants is the Premier League's priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process.

 

"Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA [Professional Footballers' Association]and LMA [League Managers' Association] as protocols for full-contact training are developed."

 

All Premier League clubs carried out coronavirus tests on Sunday and Monday and the Premier League will announce on Tuesday how many, if any, positive tests were recorded.

 

On Monday, the Premier League's medical adviser Mark Gillett said that discussions will take place in the coming weeks over whether clubs would have to isolate in a hotel for 14 days before play resumes, as happened in Germany before the Bundesliga restart.

How will football cope without Troy Deeney? can't get a haircut, so he can't attend training.

Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan has tested positive for coronavirus, the Premier League club has confirmed.

 

The Clarets' first-team squad and staff were all tested for Covid-19 at the weekend, before a return to training.

 

Burnley say former midfielder Woan, 52, is "asymptomatic" and will now self-isolate for seven days.

Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan has tested positive for coronavirus, the Premier League club has confirmed.

 

The Clarets' first-team squad and staff were all tested for Covid-19 at the weekend, before a return to training.

 

Burnley say former midfielder Woan, 52, is "asymptomatic" and will now self-isolate for seven days.

 

And it appears 3 of the cases are related to Watford.

 

Still, 6 positive tests is way less than I was expecting. That's about 1% which is well below average.

And it appears 3 of the cases are related to Watford.

 

Still, 6 positive tests is way less than I was expecting. That's about 1% which is well below average.

If you mean the average for tests in the UK, you are not comparing like with like. Most tests for the general population are only for people with symptoms. The tests at Premier League clubs are for everyone.

If you mean the average for tests in the UK, you are not comparing like with like. Most tests for the general population are only for people with symptoms. The tests at Premier League clubs are for everyone.

 

No I meant as in what they would expect our infection rate to be if we did a blind sample across the UK (which I think is how they are working the R rate now out now).

But you can’t really do that. Footballers are fairly wealthy with large spacious homes, live in gated areas and aren’t exactly known for just doing a quick Tesco run at 5 on a Friday. Their rate of exposure is far lower than the average population. There is statistical evidence that suggests deprivation is linked to higher rates of coronavirus and footballers don’t really live in the schemes of inverclyde for example

But you can’t really do that. Footballers are fairly wealthy with large spacious homes, live in gated areas and aren’t exactly known for just doing a quick Tesco run at 5 on a Friday. Their rate of exposure is far lower than the average population. There is statistical evidence that suggests deprivation is linked to higher rates of coronavirus and footballers don’t really live in the schemes of inverclyde for example

 

Which is why I find some of the fears about returning to work a bit prosposterous. See Danny Rose now claiming he is a lab rat. If getting paid thousands of pounds a week and being tested twice a week makes you a lab rat, sign me up!

 

Completely agree!! I’d happily be tested twice a week and spend a couple of hours a day running round a field and then going home to sit on my arse and watch Netflix for 80,000 a month.

 

As long as they’re regularly tested then the risk is low - lower than it already is given their privileged position in society.

I think Deeney's decision has already proved justified with 3 confirmed cases at Watford, especially as his baby has breathing difficulties. His family's health is much more important than football.

I think Deeney's decision has already proved justified with 3 confirmed cases at Watford, especially as his baby has breathing difficulties. His family's health is much more important than football.

 

If he doesn't want to return to training he is well within his right, I suspect when he made those comments he already knew people had tested positive. But this is why they are testing- so the players are at as minimal risk as possible. But personally I just don't know when/if he will ever return to work if that's the case..

Manchester United say the coronavirus pandemic has cost them an initial £28m - and expect the final figure to be far higher.

 

United revealed their third-quarter results to 31 March on Thursday.

 

Chief financial officer Cliff Baty said they are set to hand back £20m in TV revenue to broadcasters even if the Premier League season is completed.

 

United lost an additional £8m over the final three weeks of March, when they had three matches postponed.

Sheffield United say Prince Abdullah remains their owner - despite Companies House suggesting otherwise.

 

Companies House indicated on Thursday that he had ceased to be a person with significant control on 18 October 2019.

 

Prince Abdullah won a court battle to take over the club from former owner Kevin McCabe on 16 September.

 

The Saudi owner was listed as a person of significant control a month later, with those filings made public on 20 February.

Two new cases of coronavirus, at two separate clubs, have been found after the latest round of Premier League tests.

 

Tests were carried out on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of last week, with 996 players and club staff tested overall.

 

Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.

Sheffield United say Prince Abdullah remains their owner - despite Companies House suggesting otherwise.

 

Companies House indicated on Thursday that he had ceased to be a person with significant control on 18 October 2019.

 

Prince Abdullah won a court battle to take over the club from former owner Kevin McCabe on 16 September.

 

The Saudi owner was listed as a person of significant control a month later, with those filings made public on 20 February.

Oh dear, are we heading for another ownership shamble :(

Wrong thread but the WPL has voided the season, interesting to see if the Men's follows this.

Wrong thread but the WPL has voided the season, interesting to see if the Men's follows this.

 

No chance they follow unless there's a mass outbreak.

Odion Ighalo looks set to return to China when his loan deal expires on 31 May, with Manchester United struggling to agree an extension with Shanghai Shenhua.

 

The Nigerian, 30, was signed on a short-term loan deal in January as cover for striker Marcus Rashford, who had been ruled out by a back injury.

 

However, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic means Ighalo's loan will end before the Premier League's intended June return date, by which time Rashford is also expected to be fit.