Premier League clubs return to training

Premier League clubs return to training

Premier League players return to training after clubs agree to allow "small group" sessions to begin.

VIDEO SHOWS: AERIAL FOOTAGE OF CHELSEA, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, ARSENAL, WATFORD AND CRYSTAL PALACE TRAINING GROUNDS, PLAYERS ARRIVING AT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TRAINING GROUND SHOWS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (UK POOL - ACCESS ALL) 1.

AERIAL OF TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR'S TRAINING GROUND 2.

AERIAL SHOWING ENTRANCE TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TRAINING GROUND 3.

AERIAL SHOWING TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR CLUB BADGE ON EXTERIOR OF BUILDING LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 4.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR DEFENDER, JAN VERTONGHEN ARRIVING AT TRAINING GROUND 5.

VARIOUS OF CARS ARRIVING AT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TRAINING GROUND LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (UK POOL - ACCESS ALL) 6.

VARIOUS AERIALS SHOWING TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR PLAYERS TRAINING LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 7.

SECURITY GUARD WEARING A MASK WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR'S TRAINING GROUND 8.

ROAD SIGN, READING: "HOTSPUR WAY" 9.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR CLUB BADGE AT ENTRANCE TO TRAINING GROUND STOKE D'ABERNON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (UK POOL - ACCESS ALL) 10.

AERIAL OF CHELSEA'S TRAINING GROUND 11.

AERIAL SHOWING CHELSEA CLUB BADGE ON EXTERIOR OF BUILDING 12.

AERIAL SHOWING CARS DRIVING THROUGH TENT AT ENTRANCE TO TRAINING GROUND 13.

AERIAL SHOWING CHELSEA STAFF MEASURING OUT DISTANCES ON PITCH LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (UK POOL - ACCESS ALL) 14.

AERIAL OF ARSENAL'S TRAINING GROUND 15.

AERIAL SHOWING MEMBER OF ARSENAL COACHING STAFF WALKING ON TRAINING PITCH 16.

AERIAL SHOWING WATFORD'S TRAINING GROUND BECKENHAM, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (UK POOL - ACCESS ALL) 17.

AERIAL SHOWING CRYSTAL PLACE'S TRAINING GROUND 18.

AERIAL SHOWING CRYSTAL PALACE TRAINING PITCH 19.

AERIAL SHOWING CRYSTAL PLACE'S TRAINING GROUND LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE) 20.

TWO STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF LIVERPOOL CAPTAIN JORDAN HENDERSON ARRIVING AT THE CLUB'S MELWOOD TRAINING GROUND 21.

STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER, ALEX OXLADE CHAMBERLIAN (SUNGLASSES) ARRIVING AT THE CLUB'S MELWOOD TRAINING GROUND 22.

STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER, FABINHO ARRIVING AT THE CLUB'S MELWOOD TRAINING GROUND LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 19, 2020) (ACTION IMAGES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE) 23.

STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF LIVERPOOL GOALKEEPER, ALISSON BECKER ARRIVING AT THE CLUB'S MELWOOD TRAINING GROUND 24.

STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF LIVERPOOL GOALKEEPER, ADRIAN ARRIVING AT THE CLUB'S MELWOOD TRAINING GROUND STORY: Premier League players returned to training on Tuesday (May 19) after clubs agreed to allow "small group" sessions to begin, with a possible return to normal 'contact' training next week.

The league held a conference call for all 20 clubs on Monday (May 18) where the move was given unanimous backing but there remains no firm date for the season to resume.

Another meeting is scheduled for early next week when the league will decide on whether to move to the second phase which allows for training involving contact.

It is the first move in the league's 'Project Restart' plans to resume play in the league, which has not held a game since March 9 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The league has set June 12 as a tentative date for a restart of action but chief executive Richard Masters said they were aware they would need to be flexible.

Failure to resume the season could cost the league around 750 million pounds ($913.80 million) in lost revenue from broadcasters according to British media estimates.

Some reports said clubs could lose out even if the league restarts should broadcasters demand a 330 million pounds rebate.

Safety measures for group training are expected to include tents where temperature checks will be conducted, strict hygiene criteria, no canteens and no showers.

A maximum of five players will be allowed per pitch with tackling forbidden.

Players will be tested twice a week and are being asked to provide written approval that they have received and understood the club's COVID-19 policy.

(Production: Will Russell, Pete Brownlie, Tim Hart)