The German clubs have paved the way for the resumption of football matches in Europe, Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, behind closed doors and with great sanitary precautions, giving hope to other championships that it could be the same for them quickly. In this case, those who have been pushing the hardest in this direction – for several weeks now – are the Spanish Liga, the Italian Serie A and the English Premier League. However, they must convince their respective governments. And, contrary to what the professional football leagues of these countries had thought for a moment, this is not done with a simple snap of the fingers.
Italian football had to give up, at the last moment, the resumption, Monday, May 18, of collective training, which had been scheduled a few days ago. Reason: the anti-Covid-19 health protocol had not yet been validated by the scientific technical committee (CTS), according to information from the sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. It would only be a setback, and Serie A teams should be able to train later this week. With one goal: to resume the championship matches on June 13.
"The number one criterion will be public safety"
In England, this return to collective training, initially also planned for Monday, should take place on Tuesday, May 19. The 20 Premier League clubs voted on Monday " unanimously " in favor of this recovery "In small groups", "While maintaining social distancing measures".
As for the resumption of matches, the government, through the voice of the Secretary of State for Sports, Oliver Dowden said that he hopes that they can resume in mid-June. "I had very productive discussions on Thursday with the federation, the football league and the Premier League. We are working hard with them to try to come back, aiming for mid-June ”, explained Oliver Dowden.
But the latter also reiterated, as the British executive has been doing for several weeks, that "The number one criterion will be public safety". The Premier League initially planned a resumption of matches on June 9, but its project has lagged in the face of various reservations about health security or the terms of the resumption, such as matches on neutral grounds. The target date would now be June 12.
"Broad consultation will continue with players, coaches, clubs, (players 'and coaches' unions) while a protocol for the return to full training is finalized"said the Premier League on Monday.
Phase 3 of the “de-escalation plan” in Spain
Collective training, in small groups, was on the program of the Spanish clubs on Monday, May 18 (they had already resumed individual training from May 8). FC Barcelona thus returned to the grounds of its training center early in the morning and published photos of this session on its social networks. Real Madrid did the same in its complex on the outskirts of the Spanish capital.
Rondos are back at the Ciutat Esportiva! 💪🔵🔴
💪 Physical circuit ⚽ Ball exercises ✅ First training session of the week – done! #RMCity | #HalaMadrid https://t.co/7X0xDyAoGP
This recovery is part of phase 3 of the progressive "de-escalation plan" wanted by the Spanish government, which allows groups of 10 players maximum. The decision concerns all clubs, including those like Barça or Real, which are located in regions where the deconfinement phases are less advanced.
The Spanish Football League hopes for a resumption of the championship "From 11-12 June". “We are working to be ready whatever the date. The health authorities will say when we start », repeated LaLiga boss Jose Tebas on Sunday evening.
