Premier League in broadcast talks over return of top-flight football

The Premier League are in discussions with UK rights holders about how best to broadcast the season’s remaining fixtures.

The entrance to Manchester United’s ground Old Trafford, lit up in tribute to Britain’s NHS earlier this month. The Premier League is in talks with broadcasters over a possible return to action. Picture: Getty Images

The Premier League are in discussions with UK rights holders about how best to broadcast the season’s remaining fixtures as the campaign edges closer to a return behind closed doors.

It is six weeks since the English top-flight was suspended in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak and talks continue as to when, and if, play can resume. A return to action in June is being considered and it is understood the Premier League is in discussions over how best to broadcast matches with fans set to be kept out due to social distancing concerns.

“Ministers continue to work with sports governing bodies on how live sporting events can resume in the future,” a government spokesman said. “This can only happen once we have passed the five tests for easing social distancing measures.”

Of the 92 games remaining this season, 47 are already set to be aired between Sky Sports and BT under existing contracts.

As for the remaining 45 fixtures, it is understood the Premier League is in discussions with those broadcasters along with fellow UK package holders BBC and Amazon about a reasonable and proportional position on how those matches might be broadcast.

Any decisions would require consent and support from stakeholders, while it is unclear whether matches would be shown on a free-to-air basis.

During a quarterly fans forum held via conference call on Friday, Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the club was hopeful of being able to complete the 2019-20 season with or without fans in attendance.

“Like all of you, we are eager to see the team return to the field as soon as we are advised it is safe to do so, hopefully to complete a season which still held so much promise for us in the Premier League, the Europa League and the FA Cup when it was suspended,” Woodward said.

“We are in constant dialogue with our governing bodies about when and how that will happen and we will continue to engage with this forum to keep fans consulted.

“And while it may be that games need to be played behind closed doors in the shorter term, we all recognise that football will not be fully back to normal until supporters are once again in attendance.”

The English Football League, which runs the three leagues below the EPL, insisted on Saturday that matches cannot resume without “suitable” testing measures for the coronavirus, adding such measures must not jeopardise the safety of frontline workers.

“Clearly, before any return to football can take place, suitable testing arrangements for participants must be in place and this is core to our current planning, as is ensuring there is absolutely no negative impact on the country’s frontline workers, the emergency services, league and club staff members,” the EFL said in response to the EPL’s plans to resume behind closed doors.

The statement echoed comments made by the England and Wales Cricket Board about the need for a “significant testing regime” before the English cricket season, the start of which has been delayed until July, could get underway.

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