Project Restart

Liverpool has remained frozen in time a few steps before reaching the coveted league title this year when the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the world brought pretty much all sports to a halt. Players are stuck at home, checking out essential gym tips to try at home so they can stay in shape until they can resume training.

There is no way to predict exactly when the restrictions imposed by the government will start to ease but officials hope players can resume training on May 18 – in this case, the matches could resume in June. It all depends, in turn, on how the public health situation evolves.

Extreme measures

The clubs themselves are dedicated to playing out the rest of the matches of the season. And to be able to do so, they are prepared to take extreme measures, too. In an interview on BBC Radio 4, PFA leader Gordon Taylor mentioned potential extreme changes to the way matches are played. It is obvious that all matches will be played without the public present – this much was clear for quite some time. Also, the matches will probably be played at neutral stadiums across the country, with more substitutes. And the idea of playing halves shorter than 45 minutes has also been proposed. These measures are all meant to keep the players safer.

“Project Restart” is the nickname given to a plan proposed by the Premier League back in April aiming, as its name suggests, at the restart of the season. The Football Association has previously agreed that the season can be extended beyond its normal end date of June 1st – the League wants to play out all the remaining matches of the season.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will speak to the nation this Sunday when he is expected to reveal the plan of easing the country out of its lockdown. The government’s position on the way forward will weigh in strong on the decision of the Premier League on how to proceed further: push forward with the resumption of the Premier League or take a completely different route. One thing is already clear, though: the clubs won’t be able to play at their home stadia – all matches will take place at neutral stadiums, away from densely-populated areas, to reduce the risk of contamination.

Six clubs oppose the plan to hold all matches at neutral stadiums because they feel that they would be disadvantaged by not playing at their usual venues. For some of them, this could mean the difference between being relegated or not. But if 14 of the 20 clubs approve the plan, it will be enforced.

Football fans have been waiting since April for the matches to resume. Liverpool has been waiting three decades for a title. Let’s hope both of them have it their way as soon as safely possible.