Premier League teams has been handed a massive boost after the top-flight clubs voted in favour of a return to group training later in the week, possibly Tuesday, a statement from the Premier League has confirmed.
All 20 clubs were supposed to hold a voting session on Monday to decide whether or not they consider it safe to return to group training, with the Premier League requiring a majority of 14 clubs for the proposal to go through.
During a video conference call on Monday morning, it was confirmed that most of the clubs are in favour of getting things underway, with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic reducing over the past few weeks.
Players from most clubs are already back to training individually but they will now be allowed to work together in small groups of five as long as social distancing measures are followed strictly during the first phase of training. However, it has been claimed that tackling and contact will be banned to reduce the risk of spreading the virus while playing surfaces, including equipment, will also be disinfected.
All players and officials from each club will go through extensive testing procedures, with results of tests likely to be made available after 24 hours.
It has also been reported that the authorities have instructed all clubs to appoint a ‘Covid-19 officer’ who would oversee the health and safety of players during training and also when the campaign resumes.
All players reporting on the training ground will need to provide a written confirmation that they agree to and are ready to abide by their club’s Covid-19 operational policy, reports claim. The Premier League are planning to get the campaign up and running midway through June, although they are willing to extend the season until the end of August to complete it.
It is understood that most players will return to group training but managers could be without some professionals who have concerns about returning to contact training, or who live with family members who are vulnerable to coronavirus.