Government responds to Premier League Project Restart plans

Project Restart was given a Government boost when Boris Johnson’s number two said it would ‘lift the spirits of the nation’.

The controversial plan to play again next month has come under fire from some quarters but Dominic Raab gave a positive response when we asked him if the Premier League was being realistic.

“I think it would lift the spirits of the nation,” said the Foreign Secretary, who stood in for Johnson during the Prime Minister’s illness.

“I think people would like to see us get back not just to work and get to a stage where children can safely return to school but also enjoy pastimes, sporting in particular.”

The Premier League has been suspended for almost two months (REUTERS)

Raab did confirm that it will be a long time before crowds will be seen at football matches and other professional sporting events but it is clear the Government see the resumption of the Premier League as something which will raise the country’s morale.

“I know the Government has had constructive meetings with sports bodies to plan for athletes to resume training when it’s safe to do so,” Raab went on.

“I can tell you the Culture Secretary (Oliver Dowden) has also been working on a plan to get sports played behind closed doors when we move to the second phase - that’s something I can tell you we are looking at.”

Liverpool and Watford are among the teams who still have plenty riding on the campaign (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX)

Answering Mirror Sport’s questions at Number Ten’s daily coronavirus briefing, Raab suggested football’s return behind closed doors is ‘under active consideration’, which contrasts with the policies in France and Holland where professional sport has been suspended until September at the earliest.

While there has been growing opposition to Project Restart and while ministers repeat the need for caution, it is clear the Government does see sport as a key step in the way out of a lockdown.

Games are set to be played without fans (Action Images via Reuters)

Ahead of Raab’s comments, Health Secretary Matt Hancock responded to another question about the possibility of the Premier League’s return by saying: “Well, I’m absolutely open to that and horse racing too.

“And I know that both the Premier League and racing are working on how that might be doable in a safe way.”