EPL matches set to be played at their usual stadiums
Premier League clubs could be permitted to complete the season at their own grounds following a change of heart from the authorities which would remove a major obstacle to Project Restart, Sportsmail can reveal.
It is understood that positive talks last night chaired by the Department of Culture, Media and Sports involving the police, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and representatives from the Premier League, FA and EFL broke up with the government advising that the controversial issue of whether individual stadiums should be licenced to stage matches would a matter for local police authorities.
Sportsmail can disclose that a number of police forces have no issues with matches being played at their original venues, as long as a number of safety criteria can be met.
One of the main reasons for the Premier League initially proposing completing the season at eight neutral venues was fears over fans turning up en masse outside matches to be played behind-closed-doors. Whilst this remains a concern several clubs have pointed out that it could also be an issue at neutral grounds.
However, Sportsmail has been told that as long as clubs can provide assurances to their local constabularies that they will draft in enough stewarding resources to ensure that the two-metre social distancing guidelines are adhered to, completing the season on a home and away basis is not viewed as an insurmountable obstacle.
Should that be the case – and should the clubs be willing to foot the bill to pay for the officers required – playing matches at their original venues would be possible.
Government sources insisted today that there had never been a fixed view at Westminster about the need to stage all games at neutral venues, but there has undoubtedly been a change of emphasis following a rebellion from several leading Premier League clubs at their shareholders’ meeting on Monday.
As Sportsmail reported on Tuesday, two-thirds of the clubs expressed major reservations about the proposal – a significant increase from the six hard-core rebels who were initially opposed, which led to the Premier League lobbying government again on Monday night.
This subtle change of position was reflected in a statement released by Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the country’s most senior football police officer, earlier on Tuesday.
As recently as last week, Roberts had told those clubs complaining about the loss of home advantage to ‘get a grip,’ but was more diplomatic on Tuesday, saying that a range of options were still being explored.
In a statement the National Police Chiefs’ Council Football Policing Lead Mr Roberts said: ‘Following a positive meeting between police, government and football last night, we will be jointly exploring a range of options to identify a way forward, which minimises any risks to public safety and unnecessary pressure on public services, but facilitates a sensible restart to the season, to support the economic and morale benefits associated with the sport.’
A change of position from the government would also have significant implications for Championship, who are hoping to complete their campaign, but lack the resources to stage the outstanding matches at neutral venues.