• Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, one of the last round of Premier League games at the beginning of March. To see the other matches that weekend, swipe the picture. Reuters
    Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, one of the last round of Premier League games at the beginning of March. To see the other matches that weekend, swipe the picture. Reuters
  • Leicester City beat Aston Villa 4-0 on March 9 in the last Premier League game to take place. Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring the third goal. EPA
    Leicester City beat Aston Villa 4-0 on March 9 in the last Premier League game to take place. Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring the third goal. EPA
  • Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal against West Ham. Reuters
    Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal against West Ham. Reuters
  • Brighton's Lewis Dunk (left) battles for the ball against Wolves during the 0-0 draw at Molineux. PA
    Brighton's Lewis Dunk (left) battles for the ball against Wolves during the 0-0 draw at Molineux. PA
  • Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the 4-0 win over Everton. Getty
    Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the 4-0 win over Everton. Getty
  • Anthony Martial scored the first in Manchester United's 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City. EPA
    Anthony Martial scored the first in Manchester United's 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City. EPA
  • Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew scores the goal in the 1-0 win against Watford. Reuters.
    Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew scores the goal in the 1-0 win against Watford. Reuters.
  • Sheffield United's Billy Sharp strikes in the 1-0 win over Norwich. Reuters
    Sheffield United's Billy Sharp strikes in the 1-0 win over Norwich. Reuters
  • Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates scoring their goal in a 1-0 win a Southampton. Reuters
    Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates scoring their goal in a 1-0 win a Southampton. Reuters
  • Tottenham's Dele Alli scores their goal from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw at Burnley. Reuters
    Tottenham's Dele Alli scores their goal from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw at Burnley. Reuters

Football

Premier League season is set to restart on June 17

Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal will be the opening matches but the plans are subject to government approval

The National

May 28, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Premier League clubs have agreed that the season should restart on 17 June, subject to government approval.

The opening matches will be Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal.

Those two games will take all teams to 29 matches played. The remaining 90 games will then continue from the following weekend of June 19-21.

"The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters," Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said.

"It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home."

All matches will take place behind closed doors and will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport or Amazon Prime.

On Wednesday, clubs voted unanimously to resume contact training as 'Project Restart' took another step forward.

After starting with small, socially-distanced training sessions, players and managers from the 20 top-flight clubs were briefed on proposals for the reintroduction of contact training on Tuesday.

The Premier League has been suspended since March 13 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Four individuals connected to three clubs tested positive for coronavirus in the league's third round of testing, with 1,008 staff from Premier League clubs tested.

Liverpool were 25 points clear of 2019 champions Manchester City when the Premier league was shut down, on the verge of being crowned English champions for the first time in 30 years.

Bournemouth, Villa and Norwich City are in the relegation places.

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Premier League back in training

  • Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during a training session at Melwood on Monday, May 25, 2020. Getty
    Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during a training session at Melwood on Monday, May 25, 2020. Getty
  • Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker during training. Getty
    Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker during training. Getty
  • Arsenal's David Luiz during a training session at London Colney on May 26. Getty
    Arsenal's David Luiz during a training session at London Colney on May 26. Getty
  • Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during training. Getty
    Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during training. Getty
  • Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno during training at London Colney on Friday, May 22. Getty
    Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno during training at London Colney on Friday, May 22. Getty
  • Giovani Lo Celso during training at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on May 25. Getty
    Giovani Lo Celso during training at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on May 25. Getty
  • Tottenham's Lucas Moura during training. Getty
    Tottenham's Lucas Moura during training. Getty
  • Manchester City's Olkesandr Zinchenlo during training at Manchester City Football Academy on May 25. Getty
    Manchester City's Olkesandr Zinchenlo during training at Manchester City Football Academy on May 25. Getty
  • Manchester City's Raheem Sterling during training. Getty
    Manchester City's Raheem Sterling during training. Getty
  • Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola oversees training. Getty
    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola oversees training. Getty
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