Premier League welcomes government green light for sport to resume in latest boost for Project Restart

The Premier League has 'welcomed' the government's decision to green-light a resumption of British sport from June 1 in the latest boost to Project Restart.

Premier League clubs have provisionally agreed for the 2019/20 season to restart on June 17, though that date had been dependent upon receiving clearance from the British government regarding coronavirus guidelines.

On Saturday, Culture Secretary OIliver Dowden confirmed that sport in Britain has been given the all-clear to resume from June 1 - providing guidelines regarding Covid-19 are met.

Speaking at the Downing Street daily briefing, Dowden said: "I can now make it official: football is coming back."

Dowden continued: "For more than two months after sport stopped and after weeks of round-the-clock discussions with medical experts and professional sports bodies, I'm delighted to announce today that the government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday at the earliest.

"Football, tennis, horse racing, Formula One, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly."

Following Dowden's briefing, the Premier League released a statement which read: "The Premier League has welcomed the announcement today by the Government permitting the return of competitive sport in England under strict conditions from 1 June.

"The "Stage Three" guidance, published today by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), has been developed in close consultation with the deputy chief medical officers of England, Public Health England and medical representatives across Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports governing bodies, including the Premier League.

"The guidance outlines the facilities and processes that will need to be in place, including that there will be no spectators at events, which must be played behind closed doors."

The League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said: "All major sports, including the Premier League, have been working together with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to produce this Stage Three protocol.

"We could not have reached this point without the full support of the Government, especially DCMS, Public Health England and the Chief Medical Officer’s team.

"We have provisionally planned to restart the Premier League on 17 June, but there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

"This includes consulting with our clubs, players and managers - along with all our other stakeholders - as the health and welfare of our participants and supporters is our priority.

"If all goes well, we will be thrilled to resume the 2019/20 season in just over two weeks’ time."