'No one is speaking about player safety' Brighton boss concerned with behind closed doors Premier League

Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter highlighted player safety as Premier League chiefs plan a return to action.
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It's seems likely the Premier League will return behind doors in empty stadia at some stage this summer and Brighton are making plans for a June return.

The earliest potential scenario is said to be a restart of formal training on May 18, with games then resuming from June 8.

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That could see the season completed around six weeks on from that June date.

Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham PotterBrighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter
Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter

Much of the talk has centred around revenue for TV companies, player contracts, integrity of the competition and keeping fans away in order to maintain social distancing.

Little focus has been on the players themselves. The thought the 15 or 20 players crashing into each other at full pelt as they contest a corner is in complete contrast to any social distancing measures the public have to adhere to.

“I think there is a concern generally that, if social distance rules are there, they are there for a reason and that is to protect the nation and to protect the health of our vulnerable people," said Potter.

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“It is hard for us to be outside that situation on a football pitch.

“It seems at the moment everyone is talking about social distance and the crowd, but no one is talking about how the footballers are on the pitch.

“If there is a corner and 20 players are in the penalty box in a small and confined area, then that is something we have to discuss.

“We are guided by the authorities and we want to do the right thing for the health of the nation.

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“Those things are there not because people want to stop us playing football.

“It is because people are dying and we have to be very serious about that.”

Brighton tested nine players in total for coronavirus since the outbreak and two returned positive.

One plan a number of top flights clubs are discussing is a hotel option. The home team would occupy one half of the hotel, while the away team would check in to play their game and that section of the hotel will be deep cleaned after they check out.

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Clubs could use their Premier League stadiums for matches, but playing at club training grounds and training centres like St George’s Park is under consideration.

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