Premier League investigates ways to welcome fans back to matches next season

The Premier League is still hopeful than supporters will be allowed back into stadiums at some stage during the 2020-21 season but are resisting external pressure to guarantee England’s richest clubs would help those lower down the football pyramid.

The League’s chief executive, Richard Masters, has told Sky Sports News that it will look at a safe way to allow fans into stadiums while still observing social distancing rules.

“There is optimism that we will see fans back in the stadiums next season and it may happen on a phased basis," he said.

While that aim will be applauded, Masters delivered a far less positive update on whether the Premier League would offer financial assistance to lower leagues clubs in danger of going out of business if football is played behind closed doors next season.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said on Thursday that the return of the top flight could "support the whole football family" but Masters insisted the Premier League had to deal with its own situation first before it could think of helping others beyond its existing commitments. "Until we have been able to get back playing, until we have a clear plan to start season 2020-21, we are dealing with our own situation," he said.

“At the moment we have made good all our solidarity contributions to the pyramid for 2019-20 and indeed we have forwarded a big chunk of next year's revenue, and we are committed to completing that. "What we have to get ourselves into is a position where we are sure of the Premier League's financial situation at a time when clubs are suffering significant revenue [losses], before we can return to that topic."

Masters was also vague on how the transfer window will work when this season is not due to end until the start of August.

He added: "The transfer window will open after the end of the season, it's just a question of how long it goes on for."

But one thing is certain, the video assistant referee system would still be used in all the remaining matches should they go ahead.

“VAR has its own social distancing issues,” Masters admitted. “But we think there is a way of completing the season with VAR, so absolutely our intention is to complete the season with VAR in place," he said. “The hub itself could be a problem, so if you can't do the hub you have to do it remotely, and that's what we're looking at.”