The announcement that the Premier League could be playing the rest of its matches behind closed doors without fans could come as early as today, according to The Times.
This is obviously due to the worldwide spread of the Coronavirus, and the English league could be about to follow suit of a number of other top European leagues so far after a Government meeting today.
The government’s Cobra committee this morning is expected to move its response to the pandemic from the “contain” phase to the “delay” phase.
Chelsea of course are playing Aston Villa on Saturday and currently thousands of fans hold tickets. The report says to expect the inevitable and keep and eye out for announcements on this.
Here are the full details expected to be released, as per The Times..
● The current season will not be postponed and instead matches in the Premier League and lower divisions will be moved behind closed doors;
● All Premier League season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games will be able to stream coverage of matches into their homes;
● No games will be shown in pubs so as to avoid congregation of people.
● Premier League games will not be shown live in the 3pm slot on Saturday afternoons.
● Broadcasters will be permitted to screen more than one Premier League game during both the lunchtime and tea-time television slots on Saturday, and the scheduled slots on Sundays and Mondays.
● Season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games at Football League clubs will be allowed to watch matches on iFollow streams.
The plan is expected to be implemented once the number of UK coronavirus cases passes 500. Last night it was at 460.
I think it’s safe to say that this is absolutely inevitable right now, and you might want to start looking at your plans for Saturday if you are off to Villa away.
