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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Meade

UEFA issues deadline to Premier League for decision on how to end season

The Premier League has just four weeks to show UEFA how they plan to conclude the current campaign.

The coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to football throughout Europe casting doubt over when, or if, the current season can finish.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and general secretary Theodore Theodoridis have spoken to the Premier League, as well as the other leagues in Europe, and asked for them to detail a plan on how they will finish the campaign.

A statement from European football's governing body said: "National Associations and/or Leagues should be in a position to communicate to UEFA by May 25, 2020, the planned restart of their domestic competitions — including the date of restart and the competition format."

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin wants to know how the Premier League plans to conclude (REUTERS)

UEFA "ideally" want all leagues to finish naturally so that clubs can qualify for European competitions on "merit".

However last week they gave the green light for national associations to decide on the final league standings should government measures prevent football from returning.

The Premier League has been handed a boost though after Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said he had held talks about how they could get the season back "up and running".

Arsenal have begun training again (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

He said: "I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community."

Arsenal became the first top flight club to begin welcoming players back to training this week.

The Gunners are adhering to social distancing guidelines at London Colney.

Elsewhere in Europe the Bundesliga has plans to resume on May 9 while Italy is in discussions to begin Serie A matches towards the end of May.

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