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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Premier League restart at neutral venues now unlikely

Premier League clubs are expected to be allowed to use their home stadiums to finish the season following "positive" talks between leading football figures, the Government and police.

At least 12 of the 20 clubs voice their opposition to plans to complete the campaign at neutral venues at Monday's shareholders' meeting and asked the top-flight to lobby the Government and police.

Clubs near the foot of the table are reluctant to concede home advantage, while it is thought others are worried about the potential loss of commercial revenue.

The neutral venues plan was backed by the country's most senior football police officer, DCC Mark Roberts, who had told clubs in opposition to "get a grip".

But on Monday night Roberts joined a video call with the Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, EFL chairman Rick Parry, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and officials from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, as well as representatives from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority.

Roberts described the talks as "positive" and local police forces are thought to be onside, provided strict safety criteria is met.

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