Government committed to resuming Premier League ‘as soon as possible’

Brighton are among the club who believe a resumption will be possible in June

The government is committed to resuming the Premier League season “as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community”.

The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March, with players at Arsenal now able to return to the training ground while still following social distancing rules.

It’s understood that football officials are growing confident over a resumption in June, although a return to action remains reliant on the government’s guidelines.

Oliver Dowden, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, told the Commons: ”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.

“But, of course, any such moves would have to be consistent with public health guidance.”

During a quarterly fans forum held via conference call last week, Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the club was hopeful of being able to complete the 2019-20 season with or without fans in attendance.

“Like all of you, we are eager to see the team return to the field as soon as we are advised it is safe to do so, hopefully to complete a season which still held so much promise for us in the Premier League, the Europa League and the FA Cup when it was suspended,” Woodward said.

“We are in constant dialogue with our governing bodies about when and how that will happen and we will continue to engage with this forum to keep fans consulted.

“And while it may be that games need to be played behind closed doors in the shorter term, we all recognise that football will not be fully back to normal until supporters are once again in attendance.”

Additional reporting by PA