Every player needs testing for coronavirus before return is sanctioned - LMA

English league football has been suspended indefinitely but there is a will to complete the 2019-20 season if possible.

On Thursday, the Football League revealed tentative plans to play outstanding games behind closed doors within a 56-day period. LMA chief executive Richard Bevan says his members should have been consulted.

“You’re going to have to get the goodwill of the players because you’re going to have at least three weeks of training,” he said. “I would like to see more debate.”

There has been controversy in the UK about the lack of available testing, which Bevan thinks could be a barrier to resuming.

“In Germany, if you look at discussions about coming back in May, that’s probably a direct result of very clear thinking from their government because they’re doing 50,000 tests a day,” he said. “We’re doing 10,000, although the Government are targeting 100,000 by the end of the month.

“Our managers do not want to be back on the pitch unless the players have been tested. But the tests must be made available first – if there’s a shortage – to care workers, patients, NHS staff and their families.”

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