The Premier League believe football will be allowed to continue despite the impending announcement of a second UK lockdown.
Prime minister, Boris Johnson, is set to hold a press conference this afternoon with reports suggesting the prospect of a month-long lockdown has been discussed within parliament, government officials desperate to slow down the concerning rise in coronavirus cases.
English football was previously suspended for a three-month period amid the UK’s first lockdown earlier this year, the season halted in March before resuming behind-closed-doors in June, with a total of 92 fixtures played following the Premier League’s restart.
According to the Daily Mail, however, Premier League officials are confident the game will not be suspended for a second time, with safety protocols and testing regimes ensuring the season can continue safely in the event of a lockdown.
News of an impending lockdown will be a huge blow to the hopes of supporters to return to football before the New Year, plans for a staged return of spectators – following several pilot schemes in the EFL – having already been postponed amid concerns over increased Covid-19 cases.
The new measures could be implemented from as soon as Monday, with hospitality venues and non-essential shops to be closed until further notice and the public once again be encouraged to work from home if possible.
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