The prospect of a return to action for the Premier League has been dealt a significant blow as clubs appear set to argue against any resumption of play on the basis of taking unnecessary health risks.
In a story that has dominated the back pages of the British newspapers on Wednesday morning, a proportion of Premier League clubs are said to be vehemently opposed to Project Restart.
According to reports in The Times, it is believed that in a meeting scheduled for this coming Friday several clubs will argue 'that it is wrong to play at all while the country is in the grip of the coronavirus crisis.'
Furthermore, as was outlined in the conditions of Project Restart earlier this week, there is felt to be a strong opposition to the idea of playing a selection of the 2019/20 season's remaining games at neutral venues.
Coming after it was declared that certain clubs would be unable to play at their home venue, it is thought that any such arrangement would compromise the sporting integrity of the competition.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool sat atop the Premier League table as the season was postponed.A Premier League-specific plan, Project Return is the result of the British government's determination to see football return as soon as possible.
"I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community," remarked Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden earlier this week, "but, of course, any such moves would have to be consistent with public health guidance."
On such grounds, however, the Premier League clubs appear set to reject any such return.
As the French Football Federation went the same as their Dutch counterparts and called a permanent halt to the 2019/20 season, it remains to be seen what action Premier League clubs will take if no short-term return is likely.
As they prepare to meet on Friday, clubs will consider the ramifications of what a return could mean amid the current health crisis.
According to reports in The Guardian, clubs are fearful of being held responsible for the spread of coronavirus should games being held behind closed doors lead to fans gathering outside of grounds.
Tellingly, it is being widely reported on Wednesday morning that a selection of clubs are fearful that the government's determination to see a return to Premier League action is merely a means of distracting the British public amid criticism they have faced for their handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
On Friday, Premier League clubs will meet where Project Return is set to be discussed in greater detail.
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