Premier League edge towards summer ‘isolation camp’ tournament

The Premier League is heading towards a ‘behind closed doors’ tournament in June and July with players based in isolation camps in an attempt to finish the remaining nine matchdays.

The Independent has reported that meetings are ongoing between the league and its members, with the isolation tournament idea now gaining serious momentum as the government are enthusiastic about the idea of a ‘TV mega-event’ to keep the nation at home and in good spirits.

The proposed idea would see the remaining 92 games played throughout London and the midlands, in empty stadiums, across June and July, with all games televised to help distract the country from the coronavirus pandemic, and finish the season.

The Premier League faces huge pressure from rights holders, Sky and BT, as the vast majority of clubs have spent the income they’ve earnt from record TV deals, despite many of the paid for games now being postponed due to the virus.

And it’s for this reason that the idea of a summer tournament is now gaining extra traction, with players and teams isolated in camps around match venues.

The biggest stumbling block is the use of medical resources for a ‘non-essential’ event, but as testing improves, the idea may become more and more realistic.

Stay home. Save lives.

Together #WeAreOneTeam pic.twitter.com/iBoZLRWwQQ

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 29, 2020