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Premier League has a little too much money riding on it to make its season null and void. (Source: File Photo)

The Indian Express

Premier League to restart on June 17

All the 20 Premier League clubs voted unanimously on Wednesday to return to contact training and the officials again met to discuss issues such as the restart date and the rebate to broadcasters on Thursday.

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The Premier League season will restart on June 17, three months after it was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With restrictions on the broadcasting of Saturday 3pm games lifted, the league said all 92 remaining matches will be broadcast live in the UK by its existing broadcast partners: Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport and Amazon Prime.

“Today we have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday 17 June. But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority,” said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters.

All the 20 Premier League clubs voted unanimously on Wednesday to return to contact training and the officials again met to discuss issues such as the restart date and the rebate to broadcasters on Thursday.

The league’s official broadcasters in Britain, Sky Sports and the BBC, said that English football will return with a doubleheader featuring Manchester City playing Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United.

The first two matches would be Aston Villa vs Sheffield United and Manchester City vs Arsenal. A full fixture list would then be played on the weekend of June 19-21.

So far, 12 people have tested positive for coronavirus after 2,752 tests across the Premier League.

Ever since Leicester City’s 4-0 win against Aston Villa on March 9, no matches have been played in the top-flight of English football. The league was officially suspended on March 13.

Liverpool, searching for their first league title in 30 years, lead the standings by 25 points. Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and Norwich City are in the relegation places.