Novel coronavirus, since it first emerged in Wuhan city under Hubei province, China, in December 2019, has halted a number of global activities including football.
The English Premier League (EPL) among other football leagues were suspended in March due to the pandemic ravaging the world.
Read Also: Two Dead, Many Others Affected As China Discovers New Corona Virus
However, activities around the world are beginning to restart as a result of global efforts by health authorities, government restrictions, researchers and frontline health workers to check the spread of the virus.
On of such activities is the EPL, set to to return Wednesday, June 17, amidst anticipation and excitement from fans around the world, after a three-month hiatus due to the pandemic. The renown English football tournament will kick off with Manchester City and Arsenal battling each other in one of the fixtures.
This comes few weeks after German Bundesliga football league returned to action on May 16 with six-matches, as the first of Europe’s elite leagues to return to the screen.
Read Also: “Football Is Back” – Fans Celebrate As Bundesliga Returns To Action Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Spanish football league, La Liga also resumed play on June 11 after government approval.
In EPL, Manchester City is second-place on the league log with 57 points, 25 behind leader, Liverpool.
With the 25 point behind, extra efforts will be required from Pep Guardiola’s players to overtake Liverpool who will play Everton in their first game after the break occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown.
However, the top-flight games begin again tonight as Aston Villa host Sheffield United before Arsenal plays Manchester City.
New Playing Experience
The matches will be preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of those who have died from COVID-19. The virus has claimed more than 41,000 lives in Britain.
With games being played behind closed doors, all 92 remaining matches will be broadcast live in the UK by the Premier League‘s existing partners: Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport and Amazon Prime.
The stadiums will be void of supporters, according to one of the guidelines stipulated for reopening of the field of play.
Premier League’s chief executive Richard Masters admitted there would be something missing without fans.
He said;
It is going to be an odd experience without fans at the stadia. We are going to start to witness it from tomorrow evening and the Premier League would not be back with a capital ‘B’ until fans are back.
About 300 people will be allowed in stadiums for each match, with strict health protocols in place.
There will be widespread disinfection of changing facilities, dugouts, matchballs, goalposts, corner flags and substitution boards.
People other than players and coaching staff on team benches must wear face coverings.
Players have been told to maintain social-distancing during goal celebrations and banned from spitting.
They will have their names replaced by ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the back of their shirts, to support the ongoing demonstrations in the US, UK and across the world against the recent unjust killings of George Floyd and others.
Read Also: Bayern Munich Shows Support for Black Lives Matter Campaign With Special Shirts And Armbands
Premier League players will also sport a Black Lives Matter logo and a badge thanking the UK National Health Service (NHS) for the rest of 2019-20 season.
Teams can now make five substitutes, instead of three, in all matches until the end of the season.
Clubs are permitted to name nine substitutes for the remainder of 2019-20.
There will be a drinks break – lasting no more than one minute – taken midway through each half.
Premier League Fixtures
