Page 38 - Issue 9

Sports

Counting the costs as Premier League

returns after coronavirus break

The Premier League returned on June 17 remaining 92 matches.” increased or restructured rebate to TV
after the clubs gave “Project Restart” the The league has also approved the use companies if fixtures are not completed.
green light. The first to start were four of five substitutes in all matches to help High-profile fixtures are being played
teams who had 10 fixtures remaining, reduce the risk of injury given the quick at neutral venues for fear of crowds
so as to bring them in line with the rest frequency of matches ahead. gathering outside stadiums as the
of the League-Manchester City versus
Arsenal and Aston Villa against Sheffield As part of the “Black Lives Matter” nationwide lockdown eases and the
United- were the first fixtures played. movement’s campaign, following the warm weather continues.

90 other games kicked off June 19, with killing of George Floyd by a while Meanwhile, Premier League clubs face
every match shown live on television, policemen in the US, that sparked global a £1bn reduction in their revenues in
with no two games playing at the same protests against racial discrimination, 2019-20 because of the coronavirus
time across weekends and all matches the first 12 matches of the league will be pandemic, according to a report by audit
televised in the U.K. played with names on the back of shirts firm, Deloitte.
replaced by “Black Lives Matter”
It is hoped that the league will be The report says, the 20 English top-flight
finished to allow the FA Cup final to All games are being broadcast live, clubs had combined revenue of more
take place on Aug. 1, with the semifinals with four matches to be shown on the than £5bn for the first time in 2018-19.
scheduled start July 18-19. The FA Cup BBC- the first to be made free-to-air on But this season has been on hold since
quarterfinals will take place over the terrestrial television since the Premier March, and the 92 remaining matches
weekend of June 27. League’s inception in 1992. will be held behind closed doors.
All dates are provisional, subject to the Testing for COVID-19 for players Deloitte’s Dan Jones said: “significant
appropriate safety measures being put and staff of clubs and Premier League revenue reduction and operating losses
in place and other issues being finalized, management is organized to take place in European football are expected”
but it marks the biggest step yet toward twice a week, with any players or staff The Deloitte report says £500m of the
the return of competitive football in testing positive self-isolating for a period reduction for Premier League clubs -
England. of seven days. in rebates to broadcasters and a loss of
The over 90 league games will be packed Moreover, the EURO 2020 was matchday revenue - will be “permanently
into a frantic 40 days concluding on 26 postponed to 2021, according providing lost”, with the remainder “deferred”
July, with fixtures will be played behind the Premier League with greater fixture until 2020-21 if this season and next are
closed doors as one of a host of measures flexibility. Although issues with player completed.
to prevent any further cases of the virus. contract remain a challenge, particularly An EFL spokesman said: “The EFL
due to the time pressure imposed on
With Premier League chief executive players. Many players have contracts has been consulting with its member
Richard Masters saying: “Sadly, matches ending 30 June, with the 2020-2021 clubs for some time regarding potential
will have to take place without fans in season scheduled start in August. changes to financial and sustainability
stadiums, so we are pleased to have regulations with the aim of improving
come up with a positive solution for Besides, there is also a financial incentive the current position in all three
supporters to be able to watch all the to resume playing, with the threat of an divisions.”

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