Premier League chief issued update on Newcastle United fans' return to St James' Park

The top-flight will be behind closed doors for the remainder of this campaign

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has revealed there is ‘optimism’ over fans being allowed back into stadiums next season and potentially on a phased basis.

The top flight of English football is due to recommence on June 17 with Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal as the 2019/20 campaign resumes after being suspended since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier League sides have recently returned to training and protocols are gradually being phased in to increase close contact ahead of the top flight’s resumption next month.

After the two-midweek games are played – the game in hand for each of the sides in question after they were initially put back due to both City and Villa being in the Carabao Cup final – a full round of Premier League fixtures will take place over the weekend of June 20.

The season is planned for completion by late July, and all 92 matches left will be televised via broadcasters due to having to be played behind closed doors.

Looking ahead to next season in an interview with Sky Sports, Premier League chief executive Masters believes there is ‘optimism’ from both the league and clubs that supporters could be allowed back into grounds.

This could happen on a phased basis, Masters said, and revealed that though a start and end date has been discussed for the 2020/21 campaign, the priority, for now, is to complete the current season.

He said: “No one knows when matches can move away from behind closed doors model, obviously it’s right to have contingency plans in place but there is optimism in the Premier League and from clubs that we will see fans back in the stadiums again next season.

“It may happen on a phased basis.

“Of course it (a start and end date for next season) has been discussed but I think that we are dealing with the issues of 2019/20 as a priority.

“We will come onto the issues of the start date for our next season when we have more assurity on when we can finish.”