Premier League Clubs Approve Phase Three of Project Restart

Phase One involved small groups and no contact. Phase Two saw clubs move to contact training with larger groups. Now, Premier League sides will enter Phase Three of Project Restart, which will see indoor training facilities opened up to the players as they prepare to return to action next week.

That news comes today after a unanimous vote by clubs to enter the final stage of Project Restart, with players to be given the full use of practise facilities—including gyms, ice baths, and the like—while maintaining social distancing. Phase Three also sees the codification of matchday protocols for the resumed season.

Those protocols include limiting clubs to 37 “red zone” passes for games, which will be used for 20 players, 12 coaches and medical staff, and five other staff. The red zone will include the pitch and surrounding areas and be accessible to those 37 red zone pass holders per team as well as match officials.

Other areas will be designated amber and green zones. In total between the zones, there will be up to 300 people allowed into the stadiums. The amber zone will include areas for media and the broadcasting of matches, while the green zone will be stadium exterior and include security.

The vote to enter Phase Three and the codification of matchday protocols was the final club vote, following the Phase One and Phase Two votes, to be held before the resumption of the Premier League season next week.