A new ‘Project Restart’ proposal would see the Premier League season end by August 22, reports claim.
The Champions League final would then take place one week later on August 29, with UEFA having pencilled that date in for the European showpiece.
Initial proposals had the top-flight campaign culminating by the end of July, but PL chiefs have altered their plans to insert ‘delay buffers’ into the schedule, according to the Daily Mail.
Premier League stadiums have been empty since mid-March due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis
These buffers would allow matches to be rescheduled with relative ease to overcome possible complications arising if games are delayed because players test positive for coronavirus once football has returned.
The report claims the August 22 proposal was put forward to players during Zoom calls last week, and they are now said to be convinced of the season finishing.
Furthermore, the Government’s Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, says ‘good progress’ is being made as football looks to return by mid-June.
Premier League clubs will vote on a return to training on Monday, with English football having been suspended since mid-March.
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“I had some very constructive discussions on Thursday with the FA, the EFL and the Premier League,” Dowden told Sky News.
“We are working hard with them to try and get it back, aiming for mid-June, but the number one test if public safety.
“They, like a lot of other sports we’re looking at returning behind closed doors, have met with Public Health England several times to look at the safety.
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“If we can sort that out then we will look to resume by mid-June. We’re making good progress.”
Dowden added there are plans for changes to the way some games are broadcast, saying: “As part of that I’m hoping we can have something a bit more ambitious with some more free-to-air matches for people to watch from home because that would be helpful in terms of discouraging people from leaving their home to watch it.”