With the 2019/20 Premier League matches having resumed behind closed doors from Wednesday 17 June, here is a guide to the safety measures in place for matchdays and to what fans watching at home can look out for.
During the match
The line-ups
If there is only one tunnel available at the stadium, the away team's players will enter the pitch first, followed by the home. At some stadiums, teams may be able to use separate tunnels to enter the pitch.
Both sets of players must try to maintain social-distancing while entering the pitch.
When they line up for the Premier League anthem, rather than form a straight line as before, players will now stand in a staggered formation.
The traditional handshakes between the two teams will no longer happen and there will also be no handshakes at the coin toss.
Bigger technical areas
Trainers’ benches will be expanded to enable social-distancing during the match.
This can include using seats next to the bench or reallocating seats to provide the required distance between people. For example, substitutes can be seated in designated areas in the stands behind the benches.
Those people in the technical area must maintain social-distancing, with zones marked out to guide them.
Replacement balls
There are no ball assistants in behind-closed-doors matches, so if a match ball goes into the stands, the referee will decide if the ball can be retrieved without a noticeable delay.
If not, the referee will allow players to use spare balls placed around the pitch.
Medical treatment
If a player needs treatment on the pitch, any club staff performing physiotherapy or soft-tissue treatment must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
A paramedic crew of two people will be in the Red Zone and clubs should name two members of Red Zone staff to act as stretcher bearers.
Drinks breaks
The referee will signal for drinks breaks to be taken midway through each half. The breaks should last no longer than a minute, with players drinking from their own bottles.
The time taken for the break will be added to the end of the half.
New rules on substitutions
Managers can make use of five substitutes during a match, instead of three, in line with the temporary law amendment made by the International Football Association Board.
Teams can also have nine players on the bench rather than seven. But, one manager can make substitutions on only three occasions during a match, not including those made at half-time.
Only three substitutes from one team are allowed to warm up at one time.
Match officials and VAR
Premier League match officials have been isolating throughout this period, but have been training regularly, with their fitness monitored. They are being tested as regularly as players, and will follow the same protocols.
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will continue to be in operation for matches, with the configuration of the VAR Hub at IMG Studios, Stockley Park, changed to allow for social-distancing.
Player behaviour
Players and managers have been given these guidelines to reduce risk and maximise personal safety.
- Maintain distance during goal celebrations
- No handshakes
- No spitting or nose-clearing
- Use hand-sanitisers before and after every match
- Players should use their own water bottles
- Avoid mass confrontations with opponents or match officials
- Try to restrict interaction with opponents after the match
Also in this series
Introduction: Your essential guide to Premier League behind closed doors (BCD)
Part 1: BCD guide: Before the match
Part 3: BCD guide: After the match
Part 4: BCD guide: What will be different on TV?
Part 5: BCD guide: Matchday features
Download: Premier League 2019/20 Season Restart guide (PDF; 807KB)