UK prepares to allow Premier League soccer matches in June

[LONDON] The UK is preparing to allow professional soccer matches to be held next month, a decision that would allow the Premier League to complete a season that was suspended in March.

Football will only be allowed to resume if it's safe to do so, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said late Thursday in an emailed statement. He also signalled clubs must make free-to-air televised matches more widely available and plow money into the sport's grassroots.

"The government is opening the door for competitive football to return safely in June," Mr Dowden said. "This should include widening access for fans to view live coverage and ensure finances from the game's resumption supports the wider football family."

The Premier League's season was suspended in mid-March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the UK. Since then, clubs have been discussing whether and how to resume matches behind closed doors. The green light from the government suggests they'll be able to complete the season, with Mr Dowden saying it's up to football authorities to finalise details of how they resume the sport.

At the time of suspension, Liverpool had almost clinched the Premier League title, being 25 points clear with nine matches to play. It would be their first top division title since 1990.

BLOOMBERG