UK: Government approves resumption of sports competitions

The British government authorized on Saturday May 30 the return to closed door of sports competitions from June 1, after more than two months of stoppage due to the Covid-19 pandemic, announced the minister in charge of Sports Oliver Dowden.

"The wait is over. British sport will soon return to safe and tightly controlled conditions, " said the minister at a press conference, paving the way for a resumption of the Premier League, the highly-followed England Football Championship. "I am pleased to announce today that the government has released guidelines that allow competitive sport to resume in camera starting Monday, June 1 at the earliest . "

Strict sanitary measures

These directives provide in particular for the absence of spectators during the meetings, the screening of any individual having access to the sports arenas. If a person is suspected of having COVID-19, they should be placed in segregation.

Circulation channels will be established at the edge of the pitches and in the stadiums, while the social distance must be maintained "as far as possible" , even for substitutes seated on the bench. Players will also be warned about celebrations with their teammates after goals. The use of changing rooms should be kept to a minimum, although players will still be allowed to use the showers.

First match on June 17

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters welcomed Dowden's announcement: "We are planning to relaunch the Premier League on June 17, but there is still a lot of work to do to keep everyone involved safe . [...] If all goes well, we will be delighted to resume the 2019/20 season in a little more than two weeks, " he added, adding that further consultations within the clubs, between players and leaders will be required.

But before the return of football, horse racing will be the first sporting competition to resume with the Newcastle meeting on Monday.