The Mayor of London opposes the idea of continuing the Premier League in the capital next month, while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause hundreds of deaths in the UK on a daily basis.
Five Premier League clubs are from London- Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace. Nevertheless, London Mayor Sadiq Khan is reportedly dead against the idea of London hosting the resumed league.
“Sadiq is extremely concerned that the Premier League and professional sports in general continue. However, at a time when the country is still in crisis and hundreds of people are dying every day, he believes it is too early to discuss re-establishing the Premier League and top sport in the capital,” a spokesman told the Evening Standard.
“As a Liverpool fan, Sadiq of course wants a return to the Premier League,” the spokesman added. “But it can only happen when it’s safe and can’t put additional strain on the NHS and emergency services.”
Gordon Taylor, CEO of the Players’ Association, instead believes it is crucial that all precautions be taken for players.
“Players don’t want to be considered guinea pigs and that will apply to everyone in professional sports,” Taylor told Sky Sports. “It’s about balancing security and trying to get back to normal as much as possible.”
