Premier League clubs 'allowed to organise warm-up friendlies' ahead of season restart

Premier League clubs have been given the green light to schedule warm-up friendlies ahead of the season restart.

As long as strict guidelines around hygiene are followed, teams will be able to host matches at training grounds as players work on their fitness.

Top-flight action has been suspended since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but 'Project Restart' is well under way and play is set to resume on June 17.

Players stepped up from socially-distanced, small group training to contact sessions last week, with some clubs going on to take part in in-house 11-a-side matches.

Press Association report that Premier League clubs are allowed to organise friendlies at training grounds of stadiums to fine-tune ahead of the resumption of action.

The league sent guidelines to the 20 teams on Tuesday outlining restrictions, including the need for a full risk assessment to take place before matches that members of staff would have to officiate instead of referees.

Clubs are not allowed to travel more than 90 minutes for these friendly games, which players must go to in their own cars as social distancing and hygiene measures are implemented.

Reporting by Press Association.

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