Miguel Delaney joined us on OTB AM this morning, fresh off a conference call with the Premier League Chief Executive yesterday on the Return To Play plans.
The English top-flight's clubs met again yesterday for further discussions regarding 'Project Restart', as the UK government announced plans for the return of professional sport.
One idea that could feasibly be on the cards is players and/or managers having to wear masks if the sport returns soon amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Miguel told us he hasn't heard much about any plans along those lines, but that it is likely managers will have to take that precaution.
"That hasn't been broached yet that I've heard, but I'm sure it's come up. Going from the science I've heard they're using I don't think so, but I think managers will.
"I was just off a press conference call with the Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters yesterday, and a few journalists were complaining afterwards that it wasn't as direct as [Javier] Tebas in Spain, who just spelled out everything they wanted to do.
"Masters had to be a bit cagier because this is an ongoing negotiation. In saying that I think yesterday was quite a decisive day...
"... The bottom six do not want to play at neutral grounds, they are worried about how this will influence the relegation fight. Everyone maintained they wanted to play the league.
"Yesterday morning was the first acceptance in the video conference... there was unanimous agreement with the FA that the season has to be finished on sporting merit - either through playing the remaining fixtures or some sort of formula like weighted points per game."
File photo dated 25-02-2020 of Richard Masters (centre) Chief Executive of the Premier league.Delaney said that meetings will be taking place this week, with plans for a return to group training sessions at the beginning of next week.
"They're almost certain to go back to group training on May 18th, there are meetings of players and staff this week, which a lot of clubs have complained should have happened much earlier.
"I think they will manage to assure them of safety, we should have more details later in the week.
"[There's thinking that] the training is a trial period... with the hope to get back to the Premier League on the 12th of June, but they did say they'd have to be flexible on that date. But some period in mid-June is the general idea.
"If one player tested positive the player himself would have to go into quarantine, the team wouldn't. From what I've heard, they've been using studies in certain sciences for when you're playing football, how long you're actually in contact with other people, even transmission through the air."
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