Premier League players abroad asked to return as restart edges closer

There are players in England’s top-flight who are currently abroad and hence have been asked to return to the country by Tuesday, 5 May, as clubs have started preparing for the season to restart, while the Premier League are also facing a £4m bill for coronavirus testing kits for ‘essential’ players and staff.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the country has been on lockdown for a while now, while football has also been halted since mid-march. The return of football in England has been the topic of much discussion, with it being declared that the campaign can only restart when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol has now provided on update on clubs’ plans moving forward. With the players asked to return to the UK by 5 May, the government plans to provide an update on lockdown restrictions just 48 hours later. 

The government is also very keen on football to return as soon as possible to boost the morale of the public at this testing time.

The issue of social hygiene and social distancing will be raised but Solhekol adds that even the footballs that will be used when training resumes will be sterilized. 

This news came after Arsenal announced they would open their training ground to payers on Monday, with all government regulations taken care of. 

West Ham have also opened their training ground but a strict one-in-one policy has been applied. However, the Daily Mail report that the Premier League are facing a huge bill for the coronavirus testing as the resumption of the season edges closer. 

In a meeting between all medical officers from the top 20 top-flight clubs on Saturday, it was decided that all essential players and staff will be tested twice a week, starting when the group training recommences.

It is noted that a testing kit costs roughly £150 and while clubs will interpret members who are in need, the clubs will provide up to 50 tests twice a week.

featured image credits- espn.com