MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 16:16:01| >> :60:36:36:

Premier League "waiting to hear" whether Leicester lockdown will impact games

Premier League
© Reuters
The Foxes are due to host Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

The Premier League is waiting to hear whether the localised lockdown in Leicester will force the club to postpone home games or play at a neutral venue.

The league's chief executive Richard Masters was asked what the situation was following the decision to impose a stricter lockdown in the city because of a spike in coronavirus cases.

"We are waiting to hear," he told MPs at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee evidence session.

He did say that the league had contingencies to "put matches elsewhere or postpone them until it is safe to do so".

"Of course contingencies are part of our planning," he added.

Leicester are due to host Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Masters was also asked about the mass gatherings which followed Liverpool's Premier League title win, in particular one which involved fireworks being aimed at the Liver Building in the city centre.

Questioned as to whether the Premier League took any responsibility for what unfolded, he said: "What happened was regrettable but we are not in control of people's actions.

"It got out of hand in the same way that we have seen gatherings on beaches and street parties in wider society.

"Individuals have to take responsibility for their own actions."

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building
Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building (Peter Byrne/PA)

He praised Liverpool as a club for the 'stay home' messaging they had issued to their supporters.

He was also asked about the lack of updates for supporters regarding the proposed Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle.

Those leading the £300million buyout must first pass the league's owners and directors test, but the process has taken a long time.

"We can't provide a running commentary on things, I can't talk about the specifics of this," he said.

"There are legal requirements that need to be observed."

The Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle rumbles on
The Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle rumbles on (Owen Humphreys/PA)

The World Trade Organisation found that the Saudi state had facilitated the activities of the beoutQ pirate broadcasting network, while the league has also been told it is at risk of "becoming a patsy" for the Saudis by Amnesty International over its human rights record.

Masters said spectators coming back to matches was "the most important part of the return" at Premier League level and below but said it would be a Government decision on when it was safe for that to happen.

He said a working group was "looking at the specifics and the conditions that would need to be met" for fans to return.

"Football is willing to play a part in that, offer technical solutions and act as a guinea pig."

ID:404467: cacheID:404467:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6571:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson pictured in June 2020
Read Next:
Roy Hodgson happy to face Foxes at neutral venue after Leicester lockdown
>
Read more about Richard Masters Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Rams
@
Bears
6pm
Eagles
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Steelers
@
Colts
6pm
Saints
@
Falcons
6pm
Broncos
@
Jets
6pm
Vikings
@
Packers
6pm
Bengals
@
Panthers
6pm
Jags
@
Texans
9.05pm
Patriots
@
49ers
9.05pm
Washington
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Browns
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs52129547
11Manchester UnitedMan Utd52125507
12Brentford6213810-27
13Bournemouth512258-35
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton501429-71
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!