The Premier League faces a “very, very extended period” without football if clubs cannot agree to the ‘Project Restart’ proposals, according to Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish.
The Eagles’ chairman has been very vocal in his belief that the season should resume in spite of the Coronavirus pandemic due to the financial problems the league could face.
Speaking on BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show, Parish said: “We would be derelict in our duty if we didn’t find a way to try and bring the game back. But, It may prove beyond us.”
Loggerheads
All 20 of the clubs in the Premier League will meet on Monday to discuss the logistics in order for all of the teams to resume the currently suspended 2019/20 season.
‘Project Restart’ is the working title for this plan, although nothing has yet been agreed.
Watford, Brighton and Aston Villa are all opposed to the notion that matches will be staged at neutral venues, while several club doctors have raised concerns over some aspects of the proposals.
The Premier League is under pressure to find a solution to the problem as chief executive Richard Masters previously explained that they could face losing “at least £1billion.”
Perspective
It has been reported that the league plans to invest £4million in testing equipment, which will heed results within 24 hours.
This has generated criticism as its quicker than key workers can receive results; but Parish was keen to put things into perspective.
He said: “Football is entirely unimportant in the context of the public health crisis, that has to come first.
“We will want assurances as clubs that we are not taking resources away from anyone. We simply can’t take tests away from anyone who is more needful than us.
“We have been told so far that these are private facilities that are not being utilised for this particular public health crisis. We will all want more clarity on that, it is essential that that is the case.”
Positive test
On Sunday an unnamed Brighton player tested positive for Coronavirus.
This is the club’s third positive test since the virus began and follows the announcement of five positive tests across Spain.
In Germany, second division side Dynamo Dresden have placed their entire squad into isolation for two weeks after two players tested positive.
In the Bundesliga, 1,724 tests were carried out last week, which resulted in 10 positive results.
The Premier League plans to follow a similar model if teams can agree to the terms in ‘Project Restart’.
