In the wake of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, the Premier League suspended its 2019/20 season on 13 March.
It worked closely with the whole of professional football in England, as well as with the Government, public agencies and other relevant stakeholders, to resume the season, with the safety of players, coaches and club staff always paramount.
The first step of the Premier League’s “Project Restart” was Stage 1 of the “Return to Training Protocol”, where small-group training by players was allowed from 19 May 2020. Stage 2 began on 27 May, allowing clubs a resumption of contact training.
The 2019/20 season was able to resume on 17 June, with matches taking place behind closed doors (BCD).
This was because the League and clubs put in place strict medical protocols for the return to training, risk assessments and regular testing programmes.
The 2020/21 season started with matches behind closed doors, and this remained largely the case throughout the season, apart from a brief period in limited areas in December 2020 and at all grounds in May 2021, when clubs were able to welcome a limited number of fans back into their stadiums.
The 2021/22 season began with stadiums full of fans but the Premier League created matchday protocols to help keep everybody safe, which remains our priority.
See Premier League COVID-19 protocols for fans: FAQs
For that purpose, players and club staff are also following protocols for training and matchdays to protect their safety.