Professional sport in England could return after June 1
The government have announced top-level sport in England could resume behind closed doors from June 1st.
Rugby Union in the UK has been halted since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, which led to all leagues below the Gallagher Premiership curtailing their respective campaigns.
However, Premiership Rugby are committed to finishing the current season in some capacity with reported plans for matches to be played behind closed doors and in midweek already in the pipeline.
The Mail on Sunday also reported the top-flight are working towards six different return-to-play scenarios with owners keen to complete the 2019/20 campaign from a financial perspective.
The league have maintained their stance that any decision to continue the Premiership term will only come ‘as soon as the government gives approval’.
However, in the government’s latest Covid-19 recovery strategy, it states sport will be permitted to be broadcast from behind closed doors from the beginning of next month at the earliest ‘while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact.’
This was included in step two of the government’s five-step plan, but the resumption of elite sport could only happen if there is evidence which suggests the country is controlling the spread of the virus between now and June 1st.
On Thursday, Talking Rugby Union reported that rugby, at all levels, may not resume until as late as November but today’s announcement does make the picture slightly clearer when it comes to re-introducing the top-flight, with the government also stating “organisations should plan accordingly.”
Whilst some sports could well return next month, rugby may have to wait a little longer as player welfare must also be taken into consideration. Staggered returns to training will be highly likely, but following today’s new proposals, it is now over to Premiership Rugby to outline their plans for the continuation of this season.
