EPL to resume on June 17 but Liverpool to be denied Anfield crowning

Liverpool will almost certainly be denied the chance to win their first championship in 30 years at Anfield when the EPL resumes next month.

With their home ground of Anfield in a residential area, Liverpool will play some games at a neutral venue to avoid crowds congregating outside the stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Liverpool will almost certainly be denied the chance to win their first championship in 30 years at Anfield when football resumes in England next month.

The Premier League clubs on Thursday night (AEST) agreed to resume the season behind closed doors on June 17, with Manchester City v Arsenal and Aston Villa v Sheffield United the first matches to be played since football was shut down on March 13 owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, it can be revealed that the authorities are concerned about 12 “high risk” matches that might lead to fans congregating outside stadiums in breach of social-distancing guidelines.

It led to the 20 clubs discussing a proposal which would mean that any Liverpool home game in which they could win the title – and also matches away to Everton and Manchester City – would be played at neutral venues. London derbies would also have to be played at neutral grounds.

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A number of proposals will be voted on at another shareholders’ meeting on June 4. They include:

– Unweighted points-per-game to determine the final table should the season end without all matches being completed. On present standings, that would mean Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich City are relegated to the Championship;

– The £340m ($631m) rebate owed to broadcasters would fall to £170m should all the matches be completed by August 2. There would be nothing to pay next season, with the debt repaid over the two seasons that follow;

– The amount each club will have to pay will be equal but the Premier League will pay a subsidy to compensate for clubs receiving less TV revenue.

Liverpool remain hopeful of playing at home again this season. They are 25 points clear at the top and can seal the title with wins in their next two games, reducing the significance of their remaining home matches. Any decision is not meant to be a judgment on the Liverpool fans but a recognition that a title win at Anfield would be a big occasion in what is a residential area.

The club will take guidance from the police and the Sports Ground Safety Authority, with the police having already highlighted concerns about any game at which they could clinch the title and the home game that would then follow if Jurgen Klopp’s side finish the job away from Anfield.

Matches in the Championship deemed “high risk” may also be moved to neutral venues, including those involving promotion contenders Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion.

The first two Premier League matches are fixtures that had to be rearranged owing to the Carabao Cup final between City and Villa on March 1. The weekend of June 20-21 is now the favoured start date for the remaining matches. The matches will be played over six weekends and three rounds of midweek fixtures.

The vast majority of games are expected to be completed before July 16, which is a significant reason why the rebate owed to broadcasters has been halved.

While the clubs have agreed to resume, the start date must be approved by the government. Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, said in a statement: “We have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday, June 17. But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.

“Sadly, matches will have to take place without fans in stadiums, so we are pleased to have come up with a positive solution for supporters to be able to watch all the remaining 92 matches.

“The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters. It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home.”

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, expressed his concern with the restart plans. He told LBC: “I know, human nature as it is, fans will turn up to see the coach arriving, to listen to the atmosphere – the players inside the stadium even though they’re not allowed in, to see the coach leaving, to buy T-shirts and scarves. Police and councils need to enforce the rules.”

Meanwhile, Serie A, the top flight in Italy, will restart on June 20 after a three-month suspension, the country’s sports minister, announced on Friday (AEST).

THE TIMES