Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE coverage as the coronavirus crisis continues to heavily impact sport across the globe.
Latest coronavirus sports news...
- EFL delays training return until May 25 at earliest
- June 12 restart in doubt as managers call for more time
- Wilshere expresses welfare concerns before crucial briefings
- Training protocols issued by Premier League ahead of return
- Buttler says lockdown could extend his cricket career
- Norwich chief: Promotion/relegation must be settled on pitch
- The Derby set to remain at Epsom in 2020
- Golf and tennis clubs re-open across London
- Fifa's 'The Best' awards cancelled
- Testing key as PGA Tour outline return-to-golf rules
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Premier League issue training protocols ahead of proposed return
Premier League players will be subjected to strict testing and even firmer social distancing measures if they are to return to training, according to reports.
All 20 Premier League clubs are said to have been sent a 40-page document outlining protocols for a possible resumption of group training next week.
The PA news agency understands players have received a condensed eight-page document from the Professional Footballers' Association.
Life as a professional footballer will be unrecognisable from before the coronavirus pandemic as they will be tested twice a week and subjected to a daily temperature check and questionnaire, according to a BBC report.
If any player tests positive, with or without symptoms, they will be forced to self-isolate for seven days.
Once they are allowed in the training ground - where they must have travelled to individually and not used public transport - they will not be allowed to gather in communal areas and will not be fed.
Medical staff and physios must wear PPE when treating the players, while data will be kept on record and sent to the Premier League.
Once out on the pitch, tackling and contact will reportedly be banned for the first phase of team training while all equipment, including playing surfaces, will be disinfected.
Players, the PFA and Government staff are reported to be meeting on Wednesday over safety issues surrounding a possible restart.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor is hopeful a resumption can happen, if players are open-minded.
"If you're asking me, with the type of guarantees or assurances that would give confidence to the players, then (returning is) achievable," he told the Mirror.
"We've got to try it, see it if we can do it and see if we can return to some form of activity. But it's also being as careful and having as many assurances as possible that it's achievable.
"We have to be open-minded. There's a balance between what you hope can be done and what is realistic to achieve."
