Premier League clubs agree to train in small groups starting Tuesday
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All Premier League clubs will return to group training beginning Tuesday after they unanimously agreed to adopt the first phase of Project Restart.
Teams can now work in small groups while adhering to strict social distancing guidelines, which means no contact is permitted. Clubs are reportedly required to disinfect equipment and pitches to reduce the risk of the coronavirus spreading.
The decision marks the first step toward the resumption of the 2019-20 Premier League season. Britain's culture secretary Oliver Dowden is currently targeting a mid-June return for England's top flight.
"This first stage has been agreed in consultation with players, managers, Premier League club doctors, independent experts and the government," the league's statement reads.
"Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible. The health and wellbeing of all participants is the Premier League's priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process.
"Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) and LMA (League Managers Association) as protocols for full-contact training are developed."
Various measures, including surprise inspections and GPS tracking, may be used to ensure teams are observing social distancing and safety guidelines during training sessions, according to the league's director of football.
"Gradually, we aim to ramp that up so we can have an inspector at every training ground," Richard Garlic said, per the BBC.
"We are looking at bringing in our own independent audit inspection team that we'll scale up over the next few days which will give us the ability to have inspections at training grounds to start with on a no-notice basis," he added.
There was some resistance to the protocols from players and club doctors, according to The Guardian's Paul MacInnes. In addition to a ban on tackling and the regular cleaning of training facilities, players are set for daily questionnaires and temperature checks and will be tested for COVID-19 twice a week, according to BBC Sport's Dan Roan.
Germany's Bundesliga was the first major European league to return this weekend, with eight matches being held on Saturday and Sunday. Markus Soder, the state minister for Bavaria, urged the league to "tighten up" its hygiene rules after Hertha Berlin players celebrated their goals with hugs and kisses.