June 11 – One minute’s silence to remember those who have died of Covid-19 is likely to take place before the first games of next week’s Premier League restart.
Britain has the largest coronavirus-related death rate anywhere in the world outside the United States and tributes are expected at the opening two games next Wednesday and the first full round of fixtures the following weekend.
Heart-shaped badges in tribute to Britain’s health workers are also set to be worn.
Today, discussions are taking place on medical and operational plans for the resumption of games, as well as player eligibility issues. Hygiene standards will include corner flags, goalposts, substitution boards and match balls being disinfected before and after each fixture.
There is also apparently a desire from some clubs and players to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign and to pay tribute to George Floyd, the black man killed while in police custody in Minneapolis.
In the Bundesliga, which resumed last month, teams and officials have taken a knee ahead of matches and the Premier League could follow suit.
La Liga is going even further in remembering victims of the coronavirus pandemic with a minute’s silence before every remaining match of the season.
After a three-month interruption, football is set to resume in Spain today behind closed doors with Sevilla’s home derby against Real Betis.
Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui hopes fans do the right thing and stay away from the ground. “I hope people do what law enforcement forces are telling them to do,” he said of a fixture that would normally attract a 40,000-plus crowd.
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