Sheffield United and Premier League rivals tackle crucial step unanimously

STEP IT UP: Sheffield United's John Egan, pictured at the clubs' Steelphalt Academy, last Friday. Picture: Simon Bellis/SportimageSTEP IT UP: Sheffield United's John Egan, pictured at the clubs' Steelphalt Academy, last Friday. Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
STEP IT UP: Sheffield United's John Egan, pictured at the clubs' Steelphalt Academy, last Friday. Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage | ©Sportimage
After more than two months, Sheffield United’s players will be able to start tackling again today after Premier League clubs unanimously voted through the next step towards the resumption of English football.

The Blades have not played since March 7, and two weeks later suspended training, the last top-flight club to do so.

They have been vocal in supporting a restart but the vote is also a boost for Leeds United.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Premier League clubs only returned to group training last week but, encouraged by just 12 positive results from 2,752 Covid-19 tests, they are moving towards what they hope will be a mid- to late-June return.

Liverpool's James Milner of Liverpool, pictured yesterday during a training session at the club's Melwood Training Ground. Picture: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool's James Milner of Liverpool, pictured yesterday during a training session at the club's Melwood Training Ground. Picture: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool's James Milner of Liverpool, pictured yesterday during a training session at the club's Melwood Training Ground. Picture: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | 2020 Liverpool FC

“Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact,” said a Premier League statement.

Clubs will meet again today when they are expected to discuss a possible resumption date, neutral venues, methods for resolving the league if it cannot be completed and broadcasting arrangements if it can.

How much training players need will be an important discussion. June 12 has long been a target date, but this could be put back by one or two weeks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Return to training protocols, the small number of positive tests, GPS technology, research and an advisory group for black, Asian and minority ethnic players appear to have gone a long way to easing players’ concerns. Analysis of pre-pandemic training has revealed players spend an average of three seconds within 2m of others.

The Blades are in contention to qualify for Europe for the first time and completing the Premier League season will also help Leeds by removing the biggest argument against relegation into the Championship. The Whites top the table, seven points above the play-off places with nine matches remaining.

Rotherham United are in League One’s second automatic promotion spot. The division is expected to vote on whether to continue its season next week, but the Championship is committed to a restart and expected to follow the Premier League’s lead on training, having only returned on Monday.

Editor’s note: First and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you. James Mitchinson, Editor

News you can trust since 1754
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice