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Premier League rules: All the new social distancing rules as Premier League returns today
Premier League football returns today with a new look and Express Sport is on hand with all the new rules.
Premier League: Measures in place to ensure safety of players
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says he is excited about the restart but admits it will “odd“ without fans present. The campaign resumes this evening as Aston Villa host Sheffield United, while Arsenal travel to Manchester City. The Premier League was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic but the 92 remaining games will now be completed behind closed doors.
“It is going to be an odd experience without fans at the stadia,” said Masters.
“We are going to start to witness it from Wednesday evening and the Premier League won't be back with a capital B until fans are back.”
Behind-closed-doors games are just one of several new measures put in place for the resumption.
Here, Express Sport breaks down how the reformatted Premier League will look.
What are the new Premier League rules?
As mentioned, all matches are being staged behind closed doors, with a maximum of 300 key people allowed inside the stadium.
Medical protocols specify how squads and coaching staff must travel to and from matches, observing social distancing.
Stadiums have been divided into three zones - red (includes pitch and technical areas), amber (stands) and green (stand concourses) - with restrictions on who is allowed to enter each area.
Clubs are permitted to make five substitutions, instead of three, in each match and can name nine substitutes rather than the usual seven.
There will be staggered entry on to pitch for players and staff and no handshakes before kick-off.
Players must use hand sanitiser when they go on and off the pitch and avoid handshakes and goal celebrations that breach social distancing
Managers, coaches and players are not required to wear face masks but can if they want to.
Corner flags, goalposts, substitution boards and match balls must be deep cleaned before and after each match.
With no ballboys or ballgirls, sterilised match balls will be placed on top of cones by the side of the pitch.
Extra disinfection, such as of the substitution board after use, is likely during games and at half-time.
Medics will wear PPE if they have to enter the pitch to treat an injured player, while the fourth official will also cover their face.
Drinks breaks will be permitted during games, usually midway through the half, in an acknowledgement of the summer conditions with players drinking from their own water bottles.
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Post-match broadcast interviews will take place at the side of the pitch with press conferences being conducted virtually.
VAR will continue to be in operation during games.
While Masters admitted it had been a difficult road back for the Premier League, he is confident with the measures that have been introduced.
"It's the culmination of a lot of hard work, a lot of consultation, with clubs, with players, with managers, with other organisations, and particularly the government,” he said.
"Those early weeks of uncertainty have been replaced, step by step, with a growing confidence that we could get to this point. I think the real prize is completing the season.
"We have to be careful, we have to observe the new normal, the new rules and regulations that have been put in place.
“We're confident the clubs and the players and staff involved will do that."