SEASON 2019/20 - Version 01 - Premier League

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SEASON 2019/20 - Version 01 - Premier League
SEASON
2019/20
RESTART
GUIDE
          Version 01
SEASON 2019/20 - Version 01 - Premier League
Introduction

The 2019/20 Premier League season            COVID-19 testing                                Return to
will resume on Wednesday 17 June,            programme                                       matches
with matches taking place behind
                                             The Premier League’s COVID-19 testing           On 28 May, Premier League Shareholders
closed doors.                                programme commenced on 17 May, with             agreed to the new provisional restart date
                                             tests of players and staff at all 20 clubs      of Wednesday 17 June, provided all safety
                                             conducted twice weekly. Anybody who             requirements are in place. This was followed

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,            has tested positive has self-isolated
                                             for a period of seven days.
                                                                                             by the Government giving the go-ahead
                                                                                             for competitive sport to resume in England
the overriding priority of the Premier       The testing programme is managed by
                                                                                             behind closed doors from 1 June.

League has been the health and               biotechnology company Prenetics, which
                                             has considerable experience in COVID-19
                                                                                             The protocols established have been
                                                                                             developed in consultation with clubs,
wellbeing of everyone. The safety            testing, both in a clinical and community       players, managers and in line with the
                                             setting. Testing will continue twice weekly     guidelines set out by Government. The Return
of players, coaches and club staff           once matches resume and only those who          to Training Protocol, testing programmes
                                             have recorded a negative test in the five       and risk assessments all remain in place
has been paramount in the phased             days leading up to the match can enter          with additional requirements relevant to

return to training and this will continue    the Red Zone in any stadium.                    matchdays being added. Among the core
                                                                                             principles are maintaining social distancing,
to be the case when fixtures return.                                                         following Public Health England guidance
                                                                                             and minimising support from public services.

Strict protocols have been put in place      Returning                                       Broadcast
to ensure that stadiums are as safe as       to training                                     information
possible for everybody present.
                                             The Premier League introduced a phased          All 92 matches will be televised live in the UK
This document provides an overview           return to training in line with the latest      by Sky Sports, Amazon Prime and the BBC.
                                             Government advice. Stage One permitted          A total of 33 fixtures will be free-to-air, shown
of all the official guidelines, as well as   small-group training while maintaining social   on Sky Pick, Amazon Prime and BBC Sport.
explaining how the broadcast experience      distancing from 19 May. Stage Two was
                                             approved on 27 May, allowing a resumption
                                                                                             Live commentary of every fixture is available
                                                                                             in the UK on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
will differ for fans following at home.      of contact training, while minimising any
                                             unnecessary close contact. At all times         Sky Sports and BT Sport are also providing
                                             throughout this period, the safety of           offers for season ticket holders who do not
                                             training environments was of paramount          have an existing subscription.
                                             importance, with a series of protocols
                                                                                             International fans should continue to
                                             put in place to mitigate risk to all players,
                                                                                             visit premierleague.com for country-specific
                                             staff and their families.
                                                                                             scheduling information.

Premier League                               Season 2019/20 Restart Guide                                                                        2
Matchday Protocols

How will clubs ensure                                                       How are teams                                                       Stadium zoning
stadia are safe                                                             travelling to matches?                                              Maps of stadia clearly define the zones and areas where
on a matchday?                                                                                                                                  particular people are permitted. Stadia are divided into
                                                                                                                                                three zones – Red, Amber and Green – and each zone has
                                                                            Team travel can be via car, coach, plane or
                                                                                                                                                unique protocols and procedures related to them.
                                                                            train, but social distancing must be applied
Premier League clubs have worked with                                       in all of these transport modes, ensuring
local authorities and other partners                                        appropriate space between occupied seats
to develop venue operation plans and                                        and that full hygiene measures are observed.
COVID-19 stadium risk assessments,                                          Those driving their own vehicle should travel
minimising both the risk to public health                                   alone. In line with Government legislations,
and reliance on local health and other                                      hotels should be for essential use only.
emergency services.                                                         If hotels are used, risk assessments should be
                                                                            conducted and mitigating measures applied.
Clubs have to establish a security plan to
ensure access to the stadium is only granted
to accredited individuals. The number of
people who will be present at each stadium
for the remainder of the 2019/20 season is
approximately 300.

             Testing                  Training Ground/Home                                                   Stadium

  All players continue to adhere                                                                              Upon Arrival
  to the Premier League testing                                                                 Sterile route from drop off to relaxation
           programme.                                                                                    area and dressing rooms
                                             Before Departure
                                         Players complete relevant
  Positive              Negative                                                                            Dressing Rooms
                                             checks and report
   test                   test                                                                    Social distancing strictly observed.
                                            and any symptoms.
                                                                               Travel         Additional changing area facilities required.
                                                                           Player travel
                                                                          via flight/team                Pre-match warm-ups
                                                                                              Minimise close contact between all persons.       Red Zone                                      Amber Zone                                   Green Zone
        Self Isolation                                                    coach/own car
                                                                             in sterile                 Restricted pitch access.
                                                                          environments                                                          Only individuals who have undergone           This covers all areas of the stadium         The area outside the stadium where
 Any players displaying symptoms                                            with social                         Match
                                                                                                                                                tests in the five days prior to a match can   interior with the exception of the Red       access control points, vehicle parking
  must isolate at home for 7 days                                           distancing.              Walk-outs will be staggered.
                                                                                                                                                enter the Red Zone in any stadium, which      Zone, including stands, concourses and       and OB compounds and units are located.
  prior to their return to training    Back Home/ Training Ground                             Minimise close contact with match officials.
                                                                                                                                                includes the pitch, technical area, tunnel    pitchside interview areas. Entry and exit    Access will be granted in accordance
            or matches.               All recovery strategies completed
                                                                                                                                                and dressing rooms. Those individuals         points are strictly managed. To gain         with the club’s COVID-19 policy.
                                           individually back at home.                                          Post-match
                                                                                                                                                must have a Clinical Passport – a bar code    access, individuals must have completed
    No                                                                                      Restrict interaction with the other team. Minimal
                                                                                                                                                they have printed out or on their mobile      a medical questionnaire, as well as having
 Symptoms                                                                                    therapy at max 15 mins. Contracted broadcast
                                                                                                                                                phone, which is scanned to check that         their temperature checked upon arrival.
                                                                                                 requirements only conducted pitchside.
                                                                                                                                                their most recent test result is negative –
                                                                                                                                                before being granted access to stadium.

Premier League                                                                                                                                  Season 2019/20 Restart Guide                                                                                                     3
Matchday Protocols

What differences will there be to
matchday facilities and procedures?

        Dressing rooms                                     Players’ tunnel                              Technical area                                   Medical treatment
        Adequate space must be made available              Players and match officials will stagger     Team benches will be expanded to enable          Any member of staff performing
        in the team and match officials’ dressing          their entry onto and off the pitch.          social-distancing measures during the match.     physiotherapy or soft tissue treatment
        rooms to allow for suitable social-distancing      There should be no congregation in           This can include using seats next to the         must wear appropriate PPE, including
        measures, meaning additional rooms will            or around the tunnel area at any time,       bench or reallocating seats to provide the       a surgical face mask, disposable gloves
        be used if necessary. This will differ from club   and there will be no handshakes. In some     required distance between people. Those          and a disposable plastic apron. Paramedic
        to club. Staggered use of changing facilities      stadia, teams will use different tunnels.    in the technical area must adhere to social      numbers will be determined by each club
        is encouraged and use of showers is                                                             distancing measures, with zones clearly          and clubs should nominate two members
        permitted as long as individuals are                                                            marked out.                                      of Red Zone staff to act as stretcher bearers.
        socially distanced.

        Disinfection                                       Hygiene                                      Media interviews                                 Anti-doping tests
        Clubs will apply strict cleaning measures          Each home club must ensure that hand         Post-match broadcast interviews will take        Doping control will still be in operation,
        at stadia, with widespread disinfection            sanitiser dispensers are freely available    place pitchside with social distancing           with social distancing observed.
        taking place. This will include, but is not        throughout the stadium, as well as clearly   exercised. Boom microphones must be used         All anti-doping officials will be
        limited to, changing facilities, dugouts,          signposting handwashing facilities.          and cleaned between interviews. Huddle           tested for COVID-19 before being
        the matchball, goal posts, corner flags            Attendees with the exception of players      interviews are not permitted. Post-match         allowed to attend the Red Zone.
        and substitution boards.                           and coaching staff on team benches must      press conferences will be conducted virtually.
                                                           wear face coverings. This will also be
                                                           waived at certain times for broadcast
                                                           presenters and commentators,
                                                           under social-distancing guidelines.

Premier League                                                                                          Season 2019/20 Restart Guide                                                                      4
On-field Protocols

The following guidelines have
been issued to players and
managers to reduce risk and
maximise personal safety:

Social distancing whenever possible                                           Walkout procedure                           Drinks breaks
          Maintain distance during          Restrict post-match interaction
                                                                              After a staggered exit from the tunnel,     Drinks breaks will be taken midway through
          goal celebrations.                with opposition team.
                                                                              teams will line up for the Premier League   each half, lasting no longer than one minute,
                                                                              anthem, observing social distancing.        with players drinking from their own water
                                                                              There will be no handshake.                 bottles. Time will be added on at the end
                                                                                                                          of each half.

Hygiene

          No handshakes.                    No spitting or nose clearing.
                                                                              Warm-ups and                                Replacement
          Hand sanitisers should be used    Players should use their
                                                                              warm-downs                                  match balls
          before and after every match.     own water bottles.
                                                                              Warm-ups are risk-assessed and modified     In the absence of ball assistants, spare match
                                                                              where required to minimise unnecessary      balls will be placed at intervals around the
                                                                              close contact. Match officials require a    pitch, in case one can’t be retrieved from the
                                                                              designated warm-up area. Warm-downs         stands without causing a delay to the game.
                                                                              should last no more than 25 minutes and     Referees will offer guidance in managing
Conduct                                                                       are likely to be staggered for each team.   the process.

          No surrounding match officials.   No mass confrontations.

Premier League                                                                Season 2019/20 Restart Guide                                                                 5
Health and Safety Measures

Match officials                         Substitutes                                       VAR Hub
Premier League match officials          The number of substitutes that can                VAR will continue to be in operation
have been isolating throughout          be used during a match is increasing              at IMG Studios, Stockley Park. There
this period, but have kept in regular   from three to five, in line with the              will be a different configuration to
contact via video conference calls.     temporary law amendment made                      the usual VAR Hub set-up in order
They have been training regularly       by the International Football                     to allow for social distancing, with
and their fitness has been monitored.   Association Board. Teams will also                additional rooms also being used
They are now being tested at the        be able to have nine players on the               when required.
same regularity as Premier League       bench rather than seven, and will
players, and will follow the exact      have three opportunities to make
same protocols.                         substitutions during the match
                                        (not including half-time).

Premier League                                                  Season 2019/20 Restart Guide                                     6
Broadcast Enhancements

One of the most recognisable and                                                                    Matchday features
important features of Premier League                                                                •As a show of recognition for the incredible   •For the first 12 matches of the restarted
football is the atmosphere created                                                                     work of NHS workers during the COVID-19          campaign, all player names on the back of
                                                                                                       crisis, an NHS badge will feature on player      shirts will be replaced by Black Lives Matter.
by home and away fans. Working in                                                                      and match official shirts for the remainder      A Black Lives Matter sleeve patch will also
conjunction with our broadcast                                                                         of the 2019/20 season.                           feature on shirts for the remainder of the season.
                                                                                                                                                        The Premier League will support players who
partners, a number of innovations                                                                   •A moment’s silence will be held before           ‘take a knee’ before or during matches and will
                                                                                                       the opening 12 matches to recognise those
have been developed to enhance                                                                         whose lives have been affected by COVID-19
                                                                                                                                                        restate its No Room For Racism messaging on
                                                                                                                                                        LED boards and in communications.
the broadcast experience in the                                                                                                                      •‘We Are One Team’ will feature on a patch
absence of supporters in the stadium.                                                                                                                   on the match balls and on Premier League
                                                                                                                                                        branding in stadia, reflecting how the League,
                                                                                                                                                        clubs, fans and players have come together
                                                                                                                                                        to support the NHS, their communities and
                                                                                                                                                        society as a whole during the pandemic.

•S
   tadium dressing will include a wrap         •Live video feeds featuring 16 supporters
  covering seats in the lower tiers at all 20      from each club will be made available to
  stadia. The stadium wraps are designed           broadcasters and to clubs for use on big
  by each club and aim to improve the              screens during matches.
  environment both visually and acoustically,
  as well as creating consistency across the    •Where feasible, broadcasters will identify
  competition.                                     a celebration camera which players can
                                                   head to after scoring.
•Clubs can use music at key trigger
   moments such as kick-off, goals and          •Tunnel cameras to help fans see the build-
   substitutions by the home club.                 up to the match (this will not include sound).

•Fans watching from home can choose           •Audio from the coin toss
   to select EA Sports Atmospheric Audio,          will now be captured live.
   but crowd noise will not be played inside
   the stadium.

Premier League                                                                                      Season 2019/20 Restart Guide                                                                         7
Further Information                                                                                Upcoming Fixtures

Public health messaging                                                                            Wednesday 17 June                      Monday 22 June                          Match Round 32
                                                                                                                                                                                  Saturday 27 June
                                                                                                   Previously postponed                   20:00    M
                                                                                                                                                    anchester City vs.
                                                                                                   due to participation in                         Burnley                        12:30	Aston Villa vs.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis,                 Both the league and clubs will continue to         the Carabao Cup Final                           (live on Sky Sports)                  Wolverhampton Wanderers
the Premier League and clubs have               communicate these messages with fans.                                                                                                    (live on BT Sport)
                                                                                                   18:00 	Aston Villa vs.                Match Round 31
consistently emphasised the latest health       As we approach the return of football,                     Sheffield United               Tuesday 23 June                         Sunday 28 June
and safety advice from Government and           and for as long as it is in line with Government           (live on Sky Sports)
                                                                                                                                          18:00    L
                                                                                                                                                    eicester City vs.
Public Health England.                          advice, supporters will be urged to stay                                                                                          16:30 	Watford vs.
                                                                                                   20:15     anchester City vs.
                                                                                                            M                                      Brighton & Hove Albion                 Southampton
                                                at home to watch matches, not congregate                    Arsenal                                (live on Sky Sports)                   (live on Sky Sports
                                                at stadia and not watch matches at other                    (live on Sky Sports)                                                          and live on Sky Pick)
                                                                                                                                          20:15	Tottenham Hotspur vs.
                                                people’s houses.                                                                                 West Ham United
                                                                                                   Match Round 30                                                                 Monday 29 June
                                                                                                   Friday 19 June                                (live on Sky Sports)
                                                                                                                                                                                  20:00     rystal Palace vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           C
Support for the NHS and communities                                                                18:00 	Norwich City vs.
                                                                                                           Southampton
                                                                                                                                          Wednesday 24 June                                Burnley
                                                                                                                                                                                           (live on Amazon Prime Video)
                                                                                                           (live on Sky Sports            18:00    M
                                                                                                                                                    anchester United vs.
                                                                                                           and live on Sky Pick)                   Sheffield United               Tuesday 30 June
During the coronavirus pandemic,                • Supporting those in need – With donations                                                       (live on Sky Sports
                                                                                                                                                   and live on Sky Pick)
the Premier League committed £20million            to food banks and food parcel deliveries for    20:15     ottenham Hotspur vs.
                                                                                                            T                                                                     20:15     righton & Hove Albion vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           B
                                                                                                            Manchester United                                                              Manchester United
to support the NHS, communities,                   vulnerable groups                                        (live on Sky Sports)          18:00 	Newcastle United vs.                     (live on Sky Sports
families and vulnerable groups.                                                                                                                   Aston Villa                              and live on Sky Pick)
                                                • Supporting mental and physical health –         Saturday 20 June                               (live on BT Sport)
                                                                                                                                                                                  Wednesday 01 July
This included a direct financial contribution      Providing free resources to support                                                    18:00    N
                                                                                                                                                    orwich City vs.
                                                                                                   12:30     atford vs.
                                                                                                            W
to NHS Charities Together, to support the          wellbeing and education                                  Leicester City                         Everton                        18:00     FC Bournemouth vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           A
                                                                                                                                                   (live on BBC)
mental health of NHS workers and their                                                                      (live on BT Sport)                                                             Newcastle United
families affected by the situation.             Clubs also offered a range of support                                                                                                      (live on Sky Sports
                                                                                                   15:00     righton & Hove Albion vs.
                                                                                                            B                             18:00    W
                                                                                                                                                    olverhampton Wanderers vs.            and live on Sky Pick)
                                                to the NHS, including:                                      Arsenal                                AFC Bournemouth
This funding also allowed clubs to refocus                                                                  (live on BT Sport)                     (live on BT Sport)             18:00     rsenal vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           A
efforts and develop significant outreach        • Provision of facilities for medical use                                                                                                 Norwich City
                                                                                                   17:30     est Ham United vs.
                                                                                                            W                             20:15    L
                                                                                                                                                    iverpool vs.                          (live on BT Sport)
programmes for those needing support locally.      and accommodation for NHS staff.                         Wolverhampton Wanderers                Crystal Palace
                                                                                                            (live on Sky Sports)                   (live on Sky Sports)           18:00     verton vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           E
Some of the ways clubs have                     • Parking for NHS staff and transport provided                                                                                            Leicester City
                                                                                                   19:45     FC Bournemouth vs.
                                                                                                            A                             Thursday 25 June                                 (live on Sky Sports)
supported communities include:                     for NHS workers, medicine and food
                                                                                                            Crystal Palace
                                                                                                            (live on BBC)                 18:00	Burnley vs.                      20:15     est Ham United vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           W
• Staying connected – Making calls to older    • Club medical staff supporting                                                                 Watford                                   Chelsea
                                                                                                                                                 (live on Sky Sports
   and vulnerable supporters, as well as           or redeployed to the NHS                        Sunday 21 June                                                                          (live on Sky Sports)
                                                                                                                                                 and live on Sky Pick)
   community programme participants who                                                            14:00 	Newcastle United vs.                                                   Thursday 02 July
                                                Premier League players have independently                                                 18:00    S
                                                                                                                                                    outhampton vs.
   may have been isolated                                                                                  Sheffield United
                                                supported the NHS in a number of ways, as                  (live on Sky Sports                     Arsenal                        18:00     heffield United vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           S
                                                                                                           and live on Sky Pick)                   (live on Sky Sports)                    Tottenham Hotspur
                                                well as raising significant funds for the NHS
                                                                                                                                                                                           (live on Sky Sports)
                                                through the #PlayersTogether initiative.           16:15 	Aston Villa vs.                20:15 	Chelsea vs.
                                                                                                           Chelsea                                Manchester City                 20:15     anchester City vs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           M
                                                                                                           (live on Sky Sports)                   (live on BT Sport)                       Liverpool
                                                                                                                                                                                           (live on Sky Sports)
                                                                                                   19:00     verton vs.
                                                                                                            E
  For all the latest updates,         Contact press@premierleague.com                                       Liverpool
  visit premierleague.com             for more information.                                                 (live on Sky Sports
                                                                                                            and live on Sky Pick)                                                 For the latest fixture information,
                                                                                                                                                                                  visit premierleague.com/fixtures

Premier League                                                                                     Season 2019/20 Restart Guide                                                                                           8
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