Manchester United and Manchester City will not have to worry about quick turnarounds between Champions League and Premier League games for much longer, after it was confirmed that teams involved in European matches on Wednesday nights will be exempt from playing in 12.30pm kick-offs the following Saturday.
It was revealed that BT Sport's Saturday game will take place at 7.45pm whenever one of the teams involved has played in Europe the previous Wednesday. It is understood the arrangement will kick in at the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
That announcement came as it was confirmed that the Premier League's TV deal with Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime and BBC Sport has been extended by three years, up until 2025, subject to government approval.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "We would like to express our gratitude to our broadcast partners for their continued commitment to the Premier League and support for the football pyramid.
"Covid-19 has had a significant impact on football, and renewals with our UK broadcast partners will reduce uncertainty, generate stability and promote confidence within the football pyramid."
Ordinarily, under the Competition Act 1998, the rights would go on the market, allowing other organisations to bid to broadcast matches. For example, DAZN was considering bidding for rights to show Premier League games from 2022.
However, due to the financial impact of the coronavirus, the government has principally agreed to an exemption, allowing the Premier League to conclude renewals without being subject to the normal broadcast rights tender process.
