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Premier League vow to restart season, pledge £20m to NHS and others


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The Premier League has pushed its proposed resumption date back indefinitely, but has vowed to see the 2019-20 season through to its completion. 

They say the restart date is "under constant review", adding that football will only return "with the full support of [UK] Government and when medical guidance allows."

The season will only resume "when it is safe and appropriate to do so".

Commitment to seeing the season out will please UEFA, who were co-signees on a letter on Thursday night urging leagues to complete their campaigns.

They've also "unanimously agreed to consult their players regarding a 30 percent pay cut".

The proposals will be forwarded to the footballers union the PFA who will discuss them tomorrow.

A statement says they've "unanimously voted to advance funds of £125 million to the EFL and National League as it is aware of the severe difficulties clubs throughout the football pyramid are suffering at this time."

The league has been criticised over the past 24 hours for not doing enough to help those on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chair of the British parliamentary committee for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport claimed clubs were "morally wrong" to keep paying players while furloughing non-playing staff.

While Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged footballers to "play their part".

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson had already begun to set up a fund for NHS workers in tandem with his fellow Premier League captains - before Hancock's comments.

While the Premier League themselves say they'll be making a "direct financial contribution to the NHS and funds to enable clubs to refocus their efforts and develop significant outreach programmes to help communities, including those most in need."

Regarding pay cuts, "Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to consult their players regarding a combination of conditional reductions and deferrals amounting to 30 per cent of total annual remuneration.

"This guidance will be kept under constant review as circumstances change.

"The League will be in regular contact with the PFA and the union will join a meeting which will be held tomorrow between the League, players and club representatives."


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