After meeting with the twenty clubs yesterday, the Premier League says it has listened to the objections of some clubs to the use of neutral grounds if the season resumes, and will support them in putting those views to the authorities.
EPL Logo. Photo credit: Goal.com
Masters said the organisation was in “ongoing dialogue” with the government, police and ground safety officials.
“Everybody would prefer to play at home and away if at all possible, and it’s clear to see some clubs feel more strongly about that than others,” he said after a shareholders’ meeting.
He said clubs had argued against using neutral grounds because fans could be trusted not to gather in large numbers at their stadiums.
“I think some of our clubs would argue that in relation to policing their own fans that they have a good relationship with them,” Masters said.
“They can encourage their own fans not to turn up outside their home venues while they’re playing behind closed doors, and they’re in a better position to control that, but it’s not a matter of convincing – this has to be a decision that’s come to mutually.”
He said “a really strong collective will to complete the season remains” but admitted “curtailment” of the season was discussed for the first time on Monday.
Two weeks ago clubs were told neutral stadiums were the only way the season could be completed because authorities were concerned about fans congregating outside home grounds and breaching social distancing rules.
A significant majority of the clubs are understood to be opposed to the proposal, with Watford, Aston Villa and Brighton coming out publicly against it.
Those clubs now want the chance to show they can deliver home and away matches safely, and league bosses are behind them.
“Since COVID-19 became an issue we’ve been talking to the authorities about the conditions in which we could get the Premier League back up and running and taking all that advice on board, but it is an ongoing dialogue,” said Masters, speaking for the first time since the season was suspended.
“But all must be cognisant of what authorities are telling us, and we’ll continue with that consultation.”
The government is understood to have “open ears” regarding neutral venues and is prepared to discuss the matter. However, a final decision is likely to rest with the police and ground safety officials, who have to grant licences to venues.
Last week the head of the UK’s football policing unit, deputy chief constable Mark Roberts, said clubs opposed to neutral grounds should “get a grip”.
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson told the BBC he feared thousands of Reds fans would gather outside Anfield to celebrate the title, even if matches were played at neutral venues.
However, recently retired West Yorkshire chief superintendent Owen West told the Guardian the use of neutral stadiums had “no rationale”, and such a proposal was not being enforced in Germany where the Bundesliga hopes to resume this weekend.
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