MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 03:12:15| >> :120:28640:28640:

Premier League clubs to meet on Thursday to discuss rest of season

The Premier League season will not resume until April 4 at the earliest.

Premier League clubs will gather via conference call on Thursday morning to discuss fixtures and finances amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Top-flight action is suspended until April 4 at the earliest, and measures around social distancing mean no clubs will be present in person for the meeting.

UEFA's gathering of football stakeholders on Tuesday ended with an outline commitment to completing domestic competitions across Europe by June 30, and the decision to postpone Euro 2020 to the summer of 2021 has given competition organisers like the Premier League greater wriggle room.

It is understood that no decisions will be taken on what would happen in the event of it becoming impossible for the competition to restart, with the focus primarily on how the fixture schedule could be completed.

Match day revenue is clearly still an important consideration even at Premier League level, but far less so than in the EFL, so clubs are likely to be more open to the idea of playing matches behind closed doors if it is deemed safe to do so over the next month or two.

Clubs are expected to share their experiences so far of how the pandemic has affected them financially, and the implications of a longer-term suspension of competition.

The league is understood to be in ongoing dialogue with its broadcast partners, whose schedules have been decimated by the widespread cancellation of sporting events.

Mikel Arteta is understood to be in good spirits after testing positive for coronavirus
Mikel Arteta is understood to be in good spirits after testing positive for coronavirus (John Walton/PA)

The news that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta had tested positive for coronavirus late last Thursday night was one of the key developments which led to the league being suspended until early next month.

The Gunners gave an update to say that the squad remained on course to return to their London Colney training base next Tuesday.

Arteta is understood to be feeling better and in good spirits.

Chelsea staff who had close personal contact with Callum Hudson-Odoi, who also tested positive for Covid-19, are still self-isolating but the training ground at Cobham is operational.

Blues boss Frank Lampard said on Tuesday that Hudson-Odoi was making good progress and "almost feels his usual self".

ID:393311: cacheID:393311:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5228:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring for Dortmund on October 2, 2019
Read Next:
Real Madrid 'fear Achraf Hakimi will want to leave'
>
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 Villa5401107312
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs52129547
11Manchester UnitedMan Utd52125507
12Brentford6213810-27
13Bournemouth512258-35
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Everton6114715-84
16Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
17Crystal Palace603359-43
18Ipswich TownIpswich503238-53
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!