Feature

BCD guide: After the match

16 Jun 2020

Find out the new measures teams must adopt after the final whistle for Premier League matches played behind closed doors

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.

After the match

After the final whistle, players should seek to restrict their interaction with opponents.

Players can use the showers but must maintain social-distancing, while any ice baths are for individual use only.

Warm-downs

With bigger squads and a high number of matches in a short period of time following the restart, the value of warm-downs in clubs’ fitness programmes is greater.

These should last no more than 25 minutes and are likely to be staggered for each team.

Media interviews

All post-match broadcast interviews must take place pitchside with social-distancing followed at all times.

Boom microphones must be used by media companies to maintain social-distancing and they must be cleaned between interviews.

Huddle interviews are not permitted.

Post-match press conferences with managers, like with pre-match ones, will be conducted virtually.

Media interviews — Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho answers a question from a journalist in a virtual press conference

Anti-doping tests

These will still be in operation, with social-distancing observed.

All anti-doping officials will be tested for COVID-19 before being allowed to enter stadium’s Red Zone.

Doping control will still be in operation, with social-distancing observed. All anti-doping officials will be tested for COVID-19 before being allowed to attend the Red Zone.

Travelling from the stadium

Players and staff are expected to maintain the same measures as when travelling to the stadium, driving alone in their own vehicles or using coach, plane or train with appropriate space between occupied seats and full hygiene measures observed.