Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE coverage as the coronavirus crisis continues to heavily impact sport across the globe.
Latest coronavirus sports news...
- Boris Johnson issues update on lockdown easing
- Third Brighton player tests positive for Covid-19
- Premier League return could 'cost lives'
- Watford latest club to oppose neutral grounds
- Parish confident clubs can agree on Project Restart
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Boris Johnson issues lockdown update ahead of 'Project Restart' crunch talks
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a five-stage plan to ease coronavirus lockdown measures in the UK on the future of major sporting events in the country.
In a national broadcast addressing the nation, Johnson laid out the next steps for the government's response to Covid-19, emphasising again the importance of social distancing while allowing families within their households to play sports outside.
While the government's plans made no specific mention to the prevention of mass gatherings or team sports from taking place, the easing of the lockdown - as opposed to it being lifted - would suggest that the Premier League will require further guidance from the government before establishing when the season can resume.
As it stands, it seems unlikely that the campaign would be able to continue from June as current measures will stay in place in at least June 1.
The news comes ahead of Monday's crunch Premier League meeting, where all 20 clubs are expected to vote on Project Restart's plans to complete the season at neutral venues with a further conversation with players to follow on Tuesday.
Project Restart latest amid warning Premier League return could ‘cost lives’
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has warned a premature return from the coronavirus pandemic could "cost lives" as opposition continues to grow to the Premier League's Project Restart.
Watford became the latest club to rail against plans to end the season at neutral venues, with chairman Scott Duxbury saying the league has a "duty of care" to address concerns about a "distorted nine-game mini-league".
Barber has made Brighton's opposition plain from the start but he ramped up his concerns, telling the Daily Mail: "We have got to be careful that we do not misstep here because if we do, it could ruin lives. It could cost lives. And we cannot afford that."
Ahead of Monday's crunch meeting of top-flight shareholders, Watford, Brighton and Aston Villa have now made their opposition to the current plans clear.
The plan to use neutral grounds for the remaining 92 fixtures sticks in Duxbury's craw, with Watford 17th in the Premier League and looking to stave off relegation amid a challenging backdrop brought by Covid-19.
"There is no altruism in the Premier League," he said. "There are 20 different vested interests, which sometimes align but more often than not work purely to protect each individual club.
"That is why some clubs are happy to sign up to 'Project Restart' because arguably there is only an upside in participating in this compromised format; it means Liverpool can win the title, other clubs can book their place in Europe next season or potentially fight their way up the table from a position of safety.
"But when at least six clubs - and I suspect more - are concerned about the clear downside and the devastating effects of playing in this kind of distorted nine-game mini-league, then I believe the Premier League has a duty of care to address those concerns.
"If we start and finish a whole season under these conditions and at neutral venues when everybody knows the rules when we start, not created in a time of crisis, then that is clearly fair.
"To be asked to finish a quarter of the season under new rules and conditions is an entirely different proposition.
"How can the long-term future of clubs be determined under these fundamentally changed conditions? How is there any semblance of fairness? To wave aside all the fears and concerns is too simplistic.
"Surely all 20 clubs must agree the fairest way forward to complete the season? I hope we can now come together and find a solution to enable the season to end safely and fairly."
