The Premier League has welcomed the British government's announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Chief Executive Richard Masters said on Monday it is their priority to have full stadiums next season.

The government said in February that under the third stage of its four-stage "roadmap", stadiums would - if all conditions are met - from May 17 be allowed to hold up to 50% of their capacity, or 4,000 people, whichever is lower.

A special provision will be made for large outdoor, seated venues, so that they can open their doors to up to 10,000 people or 25% of the capacity, whichever is lower.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday the roadmap would progress as planned.

"It'll be brilliant to see fans back. They've been hugely missed and the Premier League hasn't been the same without them. Their presence will ensure a fantastic finale to the end of our season," Masters said.

Matches in England's top-flight have taken place behind closed doors since June, apart from a brief window late last year when small crowds were allowed before a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

The Premier League said last week attendance for the penultimate round of matches to be played on May 18-19 and the final day May 23 would be restricted to home fans.

"Although only a small number of home fans will be at our matches next week, this is an important step in our return to normality," Masters added.

"We'll continue to work with the government and other authorities as our priority is to have full vibrant stadiums – including away supporters - from the start of next season. Only then will we get back to the real Premier League."

A crowd of 8,000 watched Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final on April 25, while this weekend's FA Cup final is expected to have 21,000 fans present.

The Premier League has welcomed the British government's announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Chief Executive Richard Masters said on Monday it is their priority to have full stadiums next season.

The Premier League has welcomed the British government's announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Chief Executive Richard Masters said on Monday it is their priority to have full stadiums next season. The government said in February that under the third stage of its four-stage "roadmap", stadiums would - if all conditions are met - from May 17 be allowed to hold up to 50% of their capacity, or 4,000 people, whichever is lower. A special provision will be made for large outdoor, seated venues, so that they can open their doors to up to 10,000 people or 25% of the capacity, whichever is lower. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday the roadmap would progress as planned. "It'll be brilliant to see fans back. They've been hugely missed and the Premier League hasn't been the same without them. Their presence will ensure a fantastic finale to the end of our season," Masters said. Matches in England's top-flight have taken place behind closed doors since June, apart from a brief window late last year when small crowds were allowed before a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. The Premier League said last week attendance for the penultimate round of matches to be played on May 18-19 and the final day May 23 would be restricted to home fans. "Although only a small number of home fans will be at our matches next week, this is an important step in our return to normality," Masters added. "We'll continue to work with the government and other authorities as our priority is to have full vibrant stadiums – including away supporters - from the start of next season. Only then will we get back to the real Premier League." A crowd of 8,000 watched Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final on April 25, while this weekend's FA Cup final is expected to have 21,000 fans present.

Premier League anticipates full stadiums next season

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said on Tuesday there could be no "blank cheque" to bail out the English Football League (EFL) despite the financial crisis engulfing clubs.

The top-flight is in negotiations with the EFL over a financial package to ensure no sides go out of business due to the coronavirus pandemic, though an agreement has yet to be reached.

England's lower-league clubs, forced to play their matches behind closed doors, last month rejected an offer from the top-flight of a £50 million ($66 million) rescue package.

EFL chiefs said the bailout, which would have covered clubs in third-tier League One and fourth-tier League Two was insufficient and insisted outfits in the second-tier Championship should also be included in any offer.

"The Premier League has engaged and wants to seek resolution but there can't be a blank cheque or an underwriting of losses," Masters told lawmakers on the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.

"We believe our proposal is appropriate and goes to the heart of the problem and is in line with government policy on how it deals with other sectors.

"We believe we are stepping up and helping the pyramid of football. We have yet to reach an agreement with Rick (EFL chairman Rick Parry) but I am confident we can do that."

Masters said the Premier League could make money available immediately to ensure clubs "don't suffer distress or get to the point of administration".

"We are huge supporters of the pyramid and understand its importance," he added.

Parry said he hoped a deal could be agreed by the end of the month.

Asked by committee chairman Julian Knight whether that would be the case, Parry replied: "I think now we have a commitment that the Championship is going to be embraced we can move forwards. We sincerely hope so.

"We would very much like to come to a deal with the Premier League."

Masters confirmed the Premier League would be "changing direction" away from the controversial decision to broadcast several games behind an additional paywall.

"We took a decision to move to pay-per-view and now we are reviewing that decision," Masters said.

"We have listened to feedback, we will be changing direction and moving away from it and taking another step that will see us through lockdown, the Christmas period and into January. I can't announce what it is."

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said on Tuesday there could be no "blank cheque" to bail out the English Football League (EFL) despite the financial crisis engulfing clubs.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said on Tuesday there could be no "blank cheque" to bail out the English Football League (EFL) despite the financial crisis engulfing clubs. The top-flight is in negotiations with the EFL over a financial package to ensure no sides go out of business due to the coronavirus pandemic, though an agreement has yet to be reached. England's lower-league clubs, forced to play their matches behind closed doors, last month rejected an offer from the top-flight of a £50 million ($66 million) rescue package. EFL chiefs said the bailout, which would have covered clubs in third-tier League One and fourth-tier League Two was insufficient and insisted outfits in the second-tier Championship should also be included in any offer. "The Premier League has engaged and wants to seek resolution but there can't be a blank cheque or an underwriting of losses," Masters told lawmakers on the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee. "We believe our proposal is appropriate and goes to the heart of the problem and is in line with government policy on how it deals with other sectors. "We believe we are stepping up and helping the pyramid of football. We have yet to reach an agreement with Rick (EFL chairman Rick Parry) but I am confident we can do that." Masters said the Premier League could make money available immediately to ensure clubs "don't suffer distress or get to the point of administration". "We are huge supporters of the pyramid and understand its importance," he added. Parry said he hoped a deal could be agreed by the end of the month. Asked by committee chairman Julian Knight whether that would be the case, Parry replied: "I think now we have a commitment that the Championship is going to be embraced we can move forwards. We sincerely hope so. "We would very much like to come to a deal with the Premier League." Masters confirmed the Premier League would be "changing direction" away from the controversial decision to broadcast several games behind an additional paywall. "We took a decision to move to pay-per-view and now we are reviewing that decision," Masters said. "We have listened to feedback, we will be changing direction and moving away from it and taking another step that will see us through lockdown, the Christmas period and into January. I can't announce what it is."

Premier League 'can't give blank cheque' to lower-league clubs: CEO

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a> chief executive Richard Masters has pleaded with the government to rethink its stadium supporter ban, calling for football to be treated "fairly".

Matches at the end of last season in the English top-flight and the beginning of the new campaign have been played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus crisis.

Plans to pilot a limited return of fans from October 1 were shelved last month due to tighter lockdown measures following a surge in cases of Covid-19 in Britain.

Masters told The Times newspaper that he welcomed the return of audiences to concert venues but said football stadiums should be included.

"It's good news that (concert) venues can run socially distanced events indoors, it gives them a lifeline," he said. "We are starting to see the return of the paying spectator at a ticketed event and we just believe that football should be allowed to do the same.

"We do understand why caution is needed but what we are asking for is consistency from government so that sport is treated as fairly as other activities."

"We are a highly regulated environment. We have the Sports Grounds Safety Authority in place to ensure that supporters are safe at all times and we're outdoors in a highly stewarded environment. What we really need is clarity for our clubs and supporters and a road map from government."

Masters said Premier League clubs were facing a number of tough challenges including the scrapping of the October return date for fans, expectations to help clubs lower down the pyramid and the frustration of seeing entertainment arenas close to football grounds reopen with no "roadmap" for the return of supporters.

Masters cited the example of the Bundesliga, which has allowed limited number of fans back depending on local virus rates, as one that clubs could potentially follow.

"The government is managing the country around local conditions so we have to be flexible in that respect," he said.

"We have been in regular conversation with our German counterparts and we are aware of how it's working and how it is not working for some clubs where the numbers are higher.

"Like everything, you have to start somewhere and just to do it would be fantastic. Football needs its voice back, we need fans back in the stadiums to provide that missing ingredient.

"Having fans back, even if it is not exclusively across the league, has given German football a massive boost."

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has pleaded with the government to rethink its stadium supporter ban, calling for football to be treated "fairly".

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has pleaded with the government to rethink its stadium supporter ban, calling for football to be treated "fairly". Matches at the end of last season in the English top-flight and the beginning of the new campaign have been played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus crisis. Plans to pilot a limited return of fans from October 1 were shelved last month due to tighter lockdown measures following a surge in cases of Covid-19 in Britain. Masters told The Times newspaper that he welcomed the return of audiences to concert venues but said football stadiums should be included. "It's good news that (concert) venues can run socially distanced events indoors, it gives them a lifeline," he said. "We are starting to see the return of the paying spectator at a ticketed event and we just believe that football should be allowed to do the same. "We do understand why caution is needed but what we are asking for is consistency from government so that sport is treated as fairly as other activities." "We are a highly regulated environment. We have the Sports Grounds Safety Authority in place to ensure that supporters are safe at all times and we're outdoors in a highly stewarded environment. What we really need is clarity for our clubs and supporters and a road map from government." Masters said Premier League clubs were facing a number of tough challenges including the scrapping of the October return date for fans, expectations to help clubs lower down the pyramid and the frustration of seeing entertainment arenas close to football grounds reopen with no "roadmap" for the return of supporters. Masters cited the example of the Bundesliga, which has allowed limited number of fans back depending on local virus rates, as one that clubs could potentially follow. "The government is managing the country around local conditions so we have to be flexible in that respect," he said. "We have been in regular conversation with our German counterparts and we are aware of how it's working and how it is not working for some clubs where the numbers are higher. "Like everything, you have to start somewhere and just to do it would be fantastic. Football needs its voice back, we need fans back in the stadiums to provide that missing ingredient. "Having fans back, even if it is not exclusively across the league, has given German football a massive boost."

Premier League chief pleads for rethink of stadium fan ban

Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters has said that he supports the move to have slogan &nbsp;'Black Lives Matter' on player's shirts for at least this week's games as it represented an ethical stance rather than a political one.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/man-city-vs-arsenal-preview-a-battle-between-the-master-and-apprentice-306462" hreflang="en">Man City vs Arsenal Preview: A battle between the master and apprentice</a>

The much-awaited Premier League restart on Wednesday and will witness Manchester City hosting Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing Premier League coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19.

"I support them in using their platforms to push good causes. The messages you are going to see coming through the Premier League matches in relation to thanking the NHS, with the 'Heart NHS' logo on the front of shirts and also the anti-discrimination messages coming forward, are issues that all players feel," Masters told Sky Sports on Tuesday.

"I think it is a good thing that players are using their voices to make what I think are ethical value judgements rather than political statements. They are supposed to be unifying messages, and we support them and so do the clubs," he added.

Masters said that concrete policies must be introduced to follow up Black Lives Matter movement, however, &nbsp;he said that the League has no plans to introduce a US-style rule to ensure members of minorities are interviewed for any vacant coaching positions.

"Whatever the campaign messages might be, the promotion as it were, there needs to be significant policies and programmes behind it that are making a difference. There is a strong and long-standing commitment from the Premier League and all our clubs to anti-discrimination. We are going to continue to listen to players," he said.

Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters has said that he supports the move to have slogan 'Black Lives Matter' on player's shirts for at least this week's games as it represented an ethical stance rather than a political one.

Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters has said that he supports the move to have slogan 'Black Lives Matter' on player's shirts for at least this week's games as it represented an ethical stance rather than a political one. Also read: Man City vs Arsenal Preview: A battle between the master and apprentice The much-awaited Premier League restart on Wednesday and will witness Manchester City hosting Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing Premier League coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19. "I support them in using their platforms to push good causes. The messages you are going to see coming through the Premier League matches in relation to thanking the NHS, with the 'Heart NHS' logo on the front of shirts and also the anti-discrimination messages coming forward, are issues that all players feel," Masters told Sky Sports on Tuesday. "I think it is a good thing that players are using their voices to make what I think are ethical value judgements rather than political statements. They are supposed to be unifying messages, and we support them and so do the clubs," he added. Masters said that concrete policies must be introduced to follow up Black Lives Matter movement, however, he said that the League has no plans to introduce a US-style rule to ensure members of minorities are interviewed for any vacant coaching positions. "Whatever the campaign messages might be, the promotion as it were, there needs to be significant policies and programmes behind it that are making a difference. There is a strong and long-standing commitment from the Premier League and all our clubs to anti-discrimination. We are going to continue to listen to players," he said.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters supports 'Black Lives Matter' on team jerseys

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Premier League anticipates full stadiums next season

Premier League 'can't give blank cheque' to lower-league clubs: CEO

Premier League chief pleads for rethink of stadium fan ban

Premier League CEO Richard Masters supports 'Black Lives Matter' on team jerseys