By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has raised the possibility that halves (in matches) may be shorter than 45 minutes as discussions continue about the Premier League’s return the COVID-19 pandemic.
English top-flight clubs underlined their commitment to restarting the 2019-20 season on Friday, but said “it was agreed that the PFA, LMA, players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted”.
Welfare and wellbeing of individuals returning to work is key and Taylor will pore over the plans as the Premier League looks to resume in mid-June.
“They’re not stupid,” “They will put safety first. There is a protocol being put together that is going to be presented, involving all medical experts and Government medical experts.
“There will be a meeting of the shareholders of the Premier League on Friday and then shortly after that the document of returning to work should be finalised and then in the following week, next week, as early as possible, that will be put to players and coaches.
“Then the practicality of all those issues and it will be looked at club by club.”
“We actually don’t mind, even if they reduce the halves to twenty-minutes we will watch, we have been so bored,” a Nigerian football fan told The New Diplomat.
According to reports clubs and the UK government are keen to see the season finish as well.
As coronavirus lockdown continues in the UK, the fate of the 2019-20 Premier League season remains unclear.
Around Europe, seasons have begun to be written off as governments impose strict social distancing measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 and keep people safe.
However, there remains hope that the Premier League can resume play and finish the current campaign.
