Southampton chief hints at Premier League games behind closed doors | OneFootball

Premier League football could be back sooner if matches are played behind closed doors and televised to the public.

That’s according to Southampton chief executive Martin Semmens, who says the British government are eager for football to resume in the United Kingdom as soon as possible but cannot currently justify using police or NHS resources in stadiums.

All 20 Premier League clubs held a meeting last Thursday where it was agreed that the league will not restart until 30 April at the earliest.

A report over the weekend suggested the league could return on 1 June and be finished within six weeks, allowing time for the 2020/21 campaign to begin in August as planned.

Doubts have been expressed about the likelihood of that timeline, however …

But Southampton chief Semmens believes games played behind closed doors could be a way forward.

“When everybody is safe and we’re not using up NHS and police resources, the government would like us to get back to playing because we are entertainment and a sign that the country is coming back to normal,” he told BBC Radio Solent.

“If people are home for another month and Premier League football is on the TV every day that can only be a good thing.

“Not because we are more essential than the NHS but because we can give people entertainment and show that we’re fighting back.”

The idea of playing matches behind closed doors with live streams made available to season ticket holders was reportedly part of the Premier League’s original plan before the coronavirus pandemic became so dangerous that the season had to be postponed altogether.