Premier League chiefs are set to introduce a new 'purple zone' to conduct pre and post-match interviews amid Manchester United and Manchester City fan complaints.
This decision arrives after chaotic scenes in the Premier League's opening weekend where players conducted post-match interviews near raucous crowds, rendering their responses completely inaudible.
The situation reached its worst point at Old Trafford for Saturday's early kick-off, where post-match interviews were rendered useless as fans and players could not hear questions and responses due to the noise of the fans.
After United ran out comfortable 5-1 winners over Leeds, Mason Greenwood, scorer of United's second goal, conducted an interview that proved utterly pointless.
This is a decision that came easily to Premier League executives, especially amid concerns that fan behaviour could rear its ugly head against players and managers if they were left exposed for interviews next to the sidelines.
Some executives believe fans will use the disorganised set-up to attack under-fire managers, with abuse likely if they are situated just metres away from the terraces.
According to The Mirror, the Premier League will announce plans to set up a new zone inside the tunnel, giving media access to journalists and broadcasters away from the side of the pitch.
Since Project Restart, all Premier League clubs have implemented a red zone as an area reserved exclusively for players, coaching staff, and officials to limit the opportunity to spread the virus.
Amber zones have been present also, but the introduction of the purple zone will provide a hark back to normality for fans used to seeing post-match interviews being conducted inside the tunnel.
United fans went to social media to voice their frustration that they could not hear Bruno Fernandes and Greenwood's post-match interview on Saturday.
@SeanMUFC14 : "Just can't hear this Bruno and Greenwood interview."
@GunmanGreenwood : "It would be nice if I could hear the interview BT Sport."
@PaulBellis : "I don't think BT Sport will do the interview there again. Not a clue what Fernandes and Greenwood were saying"
Due to the intense focus on the issue brought on by the chaotic events at the weekend, representatives of Premier League clubs are very keen to implement the purple zone as soon as possible, with a review set to be arranged for October.
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