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From The Times:
www.thetimes.co.uk
Plan to move 36th game to get fans in
Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter
Saturday February 27 2021, 12.01am, The Times
Champions League | The Times & The Sunday Times
The Premier League has found a solution to ensure all of its clubs can have 10,000 fans back for one game before the end of the season by shifting a midweek round of matches in May until later in the month, it can be revealed.
Talks have already taken place with broadcasters about delaying the ten matches due to be played on May 11 and 12 by a week to May 18 and 19 — which would be after the government’s fixed date of May 17 for the return of supporters. It would mean the 36th round of games becoming the 37th and penultimate round, and although all options are being considered the plan has emerged as the favoured solution.
There are concerns that under the existing schedule having fans back for only the final round of games on May 23 would damage the sporting integrity of the competition, with only half the clubs having the advantage of home support.
One source told The Times it was “inconceivable” that fans would only be allowed into the final round of games because of those concerns.
The final matches could well see relegation deciders, such as Fulham v Newcastle United, and games that are crucial to Champions League qualification. Furthermore, every league place is important because the merit money payments are worth around £3 million for each place a club achieves in the table.
May 18 and 19 is a clear week in the domestic fixture calendar and with no European games scheduled either. The idea of moving the matches due to be played on the penultimate weekend, May 15/16, to the midweek slot after the fans’ return date was briefly considered but rejected because TV rights holders were unhappy about the prospect of a weekend without games and the FA Cup final is being played on May 15 which would have caused problems.
Broadcasters appear to be relaxed about shifting one midweek round by a week. As it has turned out, moving the fixtures would be straightforward because all the home teams are the same in rounds 36 and 37 and are all playing away from home in round 38 which would allow every club to have fans back for one match.
The Premier League clubs will have a vote on whether to have fans back but that decision is likely to be put off as long as possible to gauge the situation with the Covid-19 pandemic and the government’s position.

Plan to move 36th game to get fans in
The Premier League has found a solution to ensure all of its clubs can have 10,000 fans back for one game before the end of the season by shifting a midweek round of matches in May until later in the
Plan to move 36th game to get fans in
Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter
Saturday February 27 2021, 12.01am, The Times
Champions League | The Times & The Sunday Times
The Premier League has found a solution to ensure all of its clubs can have 10,000 fans back for one game before the end of the season by shifting a midweek round of matches in May until later in the month, it can be revealed.
Talks have already taken place with broadcasters about delaying the ten matches due to be played on May 11 and 12 by a week to May 18 and 19 — which would be after the government’s fixed date of May 17 for the return of supporters. It would mean the 36th round of games becoming the 37th and penultimate round, and although all options are being considered the plan has emerged as the favoured solution.
There are concerns that under the existing schedule having fans back for only the final round of games on May 23 would damage the sporting integrity of the competition, with only half the clubs having the advantage of home support.
One source told The Times it was “inconceivable” that fans would only be allowed into the final round of games because of those concerns.
The final matches could well see relegation deciders, such as Fulham v Newcastle United, and games that are crucial to Champions League qualification. Furthermore, every league place is important because the merit money payments are worth around £3 million for each place a club achieves in the table.
May 18 and 19 is a clear week in the domestic fixture calendar and with no European games scheduled either. The idea of moving the matches due to be played on the penultimate weekend, May 15/16, to the midweek slot after the fans’ return date was briefly considered but rejected because TV rights holders were unhappy about the prospect of a weekend without games and the FA Cup final is being played on May 15 which would have caused problems.
Broadcasters appear to be relaxed about shifting one midweek round by a week. As it has turned out, moving the fixtures would be straightforward because all the home teams are the same in rounds 36 and 37 and are all playing away from home in round 38 which would allow every club to have fans back for one match.
The Premier League clubs will have a vote on whether to have fans back but that decision is likely to be put off as long as possible to gauge the situation with the Covid-19 pandemic and the government’s position.