All 20 Premier League clubs representatives reconvened on a highly positive note of optimism with League officials via a conference call on Friday as plans to resume the season were outlined.<\/p>\n
A main outcome of that meeting was the announcement that clubs have been directed that neutral venues must be used to complete the remaining 92 fixtures to circumvent the risks of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, a consistent critic of plans to resume the season during the current health crisis, mooted the interesting alternative of wrapping up the matches overseas to finish the campaign.<\/p>\n
Although the suggestion was met with widespread criticism from fans and sections of the media, it does appear that the idea of completing the season abroad could be gathering momentum with Perth offering its facilities to the English top flight.<\/p>\n
A key factor favouring the suggestion is that, unlike the UK, Australia has already begun lifting its lockdown restrictions with Sydney\u2019s famous Bondi Beach having been reopened to swimmers and surfers last week after a five-week shutdown.<\/p>\n
Clearly also, Australia has reported fewer than 7,000 cases and 100 deaths as a result of pandemic compared to UK\u2019s 184,000 and 28,000 respectively. With new Covid-19 cases apparently on the decrease in the country, Perth has offered its facilities to the Premier League.<\/p>\n
Agent Gary Williams, who was born in Birmingham, says that clubs are open to the idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had discussions with contacts at Premier League clubs and they like the idea,” Williams told The Sun.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have also spoken with government officials and they are enthusiastic. We are speaking again this week. Everybody is safe here. The government has lifted many restrictions.<\/p>\n
“We are sitting round in groups of ten, we can walk around and the beaches are open. We have had four new cases in the last ten days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Perth state senator Glenn Sterle added: \u201cI\u2019m watching what\u2019s happening in England with a heavy heart. We want to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have almost no new cases. It would just be a case of some quarantine for our friends when they arrive and then we are up and running.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Gary first mentioned it I thought it was a wonderful idea. I\u2019m glad he is getting the same response from the people in the game he has called.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the centre of the sporting universe in Australia. We have fresh air and good weather. It would be ideal.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"