As Premier League is finalizing proposals and ideas for a possible resumption of the halted 2019-20 campaign, Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor has hinted that halves may be shorter than the usual 45 minutes as discussions continue about Premier League’s future.&nbsp;

Most of the English top-flight clubs are on the same page while remaining committed to restarting the 2019-20 season but said: "it was agreed that the PFA, LMA, players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted".

Safety and well-being of individual players returning to work are crucial and Taylor said the authorities are working to put the safety of players first with a possibility of resuming the league in mid-June. But what comes as a major surprise is that there is a possibility of matches being less than 90 minutes, which is the professional rule for all the matches.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-eyes-june-return-as-real-sociedad-athletic-bilbao-request-copa-del-rey-final-to-be-played-in-front-of-fans-296755" hreflang="en">La Liga eyes June return as Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao request Copa del Rey final to be played in front of fans</a>

"They're not stupid," Taylor said in a radio programme. "They will put safety first.

"There is a protocol being put together that is going to be presented, involving all medical experts and Government medical experts,” Taylor added.

Premier League&nbsp;shareholders' meeting on Friday is key as the authorities are planning to layout a document as soon as possible.&nbsp;

"There will be a meeting of the shareholders of the Premier League on Friday and then shortly after that the document of returning to work should be finalised and then in the following week, next week, as early as possible, that will be put to players and coaches," Taylor added.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-spitting-no-fans-baseball-restarts-south-koreas-sports-season-296751" hreflang="en">No spitting, no fans: Baseball restarts South Korea's sports season</a>

"Then the practicality of all those issues and it will be looked at club by club."

However, Taylor clarified that nothing has been finalised and everything right now are simply proposals: "We'll have to wait and see. I'm talking about a protocol that's coming out. I'm talking about the future.

"We don't know the future. What we do know is what propositions have been put, what ideas have been put, the possibility of having more substitutes, games possibly not being the full 45 minutes each way.

"There are talks of neutral stadiums. There have been lots of things being put forward.

"Try and wait and see what the proposals are, and then have the courtesy to let the managers and coaches and players also assimilate all those and come to a considered view." 
&nbsp;

As Premier League is finalizing proposals and ideas for a possible resumption of the halted 2019-20 campaign, Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor has hinted that halves may be shorter than the usual 45 minutes as discussions continue about Premier League’s future.

As Premier League is finalizing proposals and ideas for a possible resumption of the halted 2019-20 campaign, Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor has hinted that halves may be shorter than the usual 45 minutes as discussions continue about Premier League’s future. Most of the English top-flight clubs are on the same page while remaining committed to restarting the 2019-20 season but said: "it was agreed that the PFA, LMA, players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted". Safety and well-being of individual players returning to work are crucial and Taylor said the authorities are working to put the safety of players first with a possibility of resuming the league in mid-June. But what comes as a major surprise is that there is a possibility of matches being less than 90 minutes, which is the professional rule for all the matches. ALSO READ: La Liga eyes June return as Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao request Copa del Rey final to be played in front of fans "They're not stupid," Taylor said in a radio programme. "They will put safety first. "There is a protocol being put together that is going to be presented, involving all medical experts and Government medical experts,” Taylor added. Premier League shareholders' meeting on Friday is key as the authorities are planning to layout a document as soon as possible. "There will be a meeting of the shareholders of the Premier League on Friday and then shortly after that the document of returning to work should be finalised and then in the following week, next week, as early as possible, that will be put to players and coaches," Taylor added. ALSO READ: No spitting, no fans: Baseball restarts South Korea's sports season "Then the practicality of all those issues and it will be looked at club by club." However, Taylor clarified that nothing has been finalised and everything right now are simply proposals: "We'll have to wait and see. I'm talking about a protocol that's coming out. I'm talking about the future. "We don't know the future. What we do know is what propositions have been put, what ideas have been put, the possibility of having more substitutes, games possibly not being the full 45 minutes each way. "There are talks of neutral stadiums. There have been lots of things being put forward. "Try and wait and see what the proposals are, and then have the courtesy to let the managers and coaches and players also assimilate all those and come to a considered view."

Halves shorter than 45 minutes? PFA chief Gordon Taylor hints at change of rules as Premier League gears up for return

Weekend pitch invasions in England and Scotland have raised fears for player safety with those in the game warning of potential tragedy unless firm action was taken to tackle the problem and the governing FA saying a line had been crossed.

Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor said there was real concern after "cowardly and criminal" attacks on players by spectators running onto the field of play.

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a man in a Championship (second tier) game at local rivals Birmingham City while Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was shoved at Arsenal.

In Scotland, Rangers captain James Tavernier was attacked at Hibernian.

Individuals have been charged in relation to all three incidents.

"We have seen an increase in such behaviour at clubs this season. It's been racist abuse, anti-Semitism and now its real fear for the safety of players," Taylor told Sky Sports News television.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-fan-arrested-for-pitch-invasion-during-arsenals-goal-celebration-against-manchester-united-202515">Also read:&nbsp;Fan arrested for pitch invasion during Arsenal's goal celebration against Manchester United</a>

"We have been warned now on too many occasions. This has got to be dealt with by the football bodies, the police, the stewards and the clubs. There is a total responsibility.

"We have got to address it now. If not, it is going to be too late and there is going to be a tragedy."

The English Football Association condemned Sunday's incidents as entirely unacceptable.

"We will be working with the clubs, the leagues and the police to discuss what collectively needs to be done to protect players and officials on the pitch," it added.

The FA said it had also written to Birmingham City and Arsenal for their observations and details of the security measures they had in place.

Sports Minister Mims Davies had earlier called on the football authorities and clubs to take strong action.

"Protecting&nbsp;players'&nbsp;safety is of paramount importance and every possible step must be taken to ensure that they are not put at risk," she added in a statement.

FAN RESPONSIBILITY

Taylor mentioned a range of possible options, including fines, points deductions and playing behind closed doors and said spectators also needed to be educated about the consequences of their behaviour.

Rangers' manager, and former England captain, Steven Gerrard said there was 'huge concern' and agreed fans had to play their part.

"Fans have to take responsibility and think before they do these type of things, because if it continues someone is going to get hurt and hurt badly, and no-one wants it to get to that stage," he told reporters.

With rising knife crime and deaths from stabbings in the headlines, former England striker Alan Shearer feared an escalation.

"If we don't stamp it out now, next time it could be a knife," he warned in the Sun newspaper.

"It's that serious. Where are we at in football when some thug thinks that is what he is going to do? The football authorities have to be seen to nail Birmingham for the behaviour of their fan," he added.

Other cautioned that points deductions imposed on clubs for the behaviour of their fans could encourage others to fake allegiance in order to sabotage a rival side.

Fences were common at English grounds in the 1970s and 1980s in response to an epidemic of pitch invasions but were removed after 96 fans were crushed to death in the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster.

Weekend pitch invasions in England and Scotland have raised fears for player safety with those in the game warning of potential tragedy unless firm action was taken to tackle the problem and the governing FA saying a line had been crossed.

Weekend pitch invasions in England and Scotland have raised fears for player safety with those in the game warning of potential tragedy unless firm action was taken to tackle the problem and the governing FA saying a line had been crossed. Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor said there was real concern after "cowardly and criminal" attacks on players by spectators running onto the field of play. Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a man in a Championship (second tier) game at local rivals Birmingham City while Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was shoved at Arsenal. In Scotland, Rangers captain James Tavernier was attacked at Hibernian. Individuals have been charged in relation to all three incidents. "We have seen an increase in such behaviour at clubs this season. It's been racist abuse, anti-Semitism and now its real fear for the safety of players," Taylor told Sky Sports News television. Also read: Fan arrested for pitch invasion during Arsenal's goal celebration against Manchester United "We have been warned now on too many occasions. This has got to be dealt with by the football bodies, the police, the stewards and the clubs. There is a total responsibility. "We have got to address it now. If not, it is going to be too late and there is going to be a tragedy." The English Football Association condemned Sunday's incidents as entirely unacceptable. "We will be working with the clubs, the leagues and the police to discuss what collectively needs to be done to protect players and officials on the pitch," it added. The FA said it had also written to Birmingham City and Arsenal for their observations and details of the security measures they had in place. Sports Minister Mims Davies had earlier called on the football authorities and clubs to take strong action. "Protecting players' safety is of paramount importance and every possible step must be taken to ensure that they are not put at risk," she added in a statement. FAN RESPONSIBILITY Taylor mentioned a range of possible options, including fines, points deductions and playing behind closed doors and said spectators also needed to be educated about the consequences of their behaviour. Rangers' manager, and former England captain, Steven Gerrard said there was 'huge concern' and agreed fans had to play their part. "Fans have to take responsibility and think before they do these type of things, because if it continues someone is going to get hurt and hurt badly, and no-one wants it to get to that stage," he told reporters. With rising knife crime and deaths from stabbings in the headlines, former England striker Alan Shearer feared an escalation. "If we don't stamp it out now, next time it could be a knife," he warned in the Sun newspaper. "It's that serious. Where are we at in football when some thug thinks that is what he is going to do? The football authorities have to be seen to nail Birmingham for the behaviour of their fan," he added. Other cautioned that points deductions imposed on clubs for the behaviour of their fans could encourage others to fake allegiance in order to sabotage a rival side. Fences were common at English grounds in the 1970s and 1980s in response to an epidemic of pitch invasions but were removed after 96 fans were crushed to death in the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster.

Pitch invasions raise fears for player safety

gordon-taylor

Gordon Taylor, News on Gordon Taylor, stories on Gordon Taylor, articles on Gordon Taylor, Gordon Taylor stories at Wion, Gordon Taylor news, Gordon Taylor latest news

gordon taylor

Halves shorter than 45 minutes? PFA chief Gordon Taylor hints at change of rules as Premier League gears up for return

Pitch invasions raise fears for player safety