Premier League chief hints fans could be back in grounds next season in 'phased return'

Richard Masters is optimistic top-flight football will return to normality during the 2020/21 campaign - with fans coming back to stadiums as part of a 'phased return'

Premier League CEO Richard Masters is hopeful fans will attend matches next season with a 'phased return' to stadiums.

The top-flight is set to resume behind closed doors on 17 June three months after the coronavirus pandemic led to its suspension in March.

But there is no timescale in place for when fans can return to stadiums amid social distancing measures and the strict protocols in place to guarantee player and staff safety.

Masters, however, claims there is "optimism" that fans will return to support their teams in the flesh next season.

"No one knows when matches will move away from the behind closed doors model and obviously it is right to have contingency plans in place," he told Sky Sports .

"But there is optimism at the Premier League and at clubs that we will see fans back in the stadiums next season and it may happen on a phased basis.

"Hopefully it will be a huge morale boost and that is what we've been working towards.

"We've got some incredible fans in this country and we all know the Premier League we know and love won't be fully back until we have fans back through the turnstiles.

"Getting it back on our TV screens for people to enjoy will hopefully give the whole country a boost."

Masters was also quizzed about start dates for the 2020/21 campaign and replied: "It's been discussed, but we are dealing with the issues of 19-20 as a priority."

Elsewhere, a defined window is yet to be set for transfers this summer, though Masters confirmed it will open as soon as the campaign ends.

He added: "The transfer window will open after the end of the season, it's just a case of how long it goes on for."

Masters and Premier League club chiefs have been locked in talks over if and how the season can resume since its suspension.

The discussions have seen recent breakthroughs, with players returning to full-contact training this week and a start date released.

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