A number of proposals are being considered for the potential restart of the 2019/20 season at the meeting scheduled for Monday, May 1 but no official decision will be made on the resumption of the season. The aim is for playing matches at neutral matches from June onwards.
It is open knowledge that a number of clubs are against the idea of playing at neutral grounds and believe that relegation should be scrapped for this season if they are forced to do so. A Wednesday night report claims that the Premier League’s bottom three – Norwich City, Aston Villa and Bournemouth – have been warned that relegation could be imposed on them if they object to Project Restart plans.
The expectation from those inside the game had been that clubs would vote on the plans at Monday’s meeting, which had been moved from this Friday due to Prime Minister Boris Johnson moving his briefing to the nation to Sunday.
Although a source close to the Premier League has confirmed that no formal vote will take place on Monday, sides could be asked to approve some elements of the plans.
Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow on Wednesday joined Brighton’s Paul Barber in stating his opposition to the remaining games being played at up to 10 neutral grounds around the country.
He said: “Personally I am against it. We are a club that prides itself on home form.
“Two-thirds of our wins this season came at home. We have six left. Giving up that advantage is a massive decision and I wouldn’t agree to it unless the circumstances are right. My duty is to my club.”
Plans are also being voiced about over three to four games being shown each day with discussions being held with broadcasters in a move that could see clubs air their own matches on YouTube channels.