Leeds United and Championship clubs await EFL friendlies approval, latest Premier League COVID-19 results

Leeds United are expected to try and line up at least one friendly fixture when the EFL gives Championship clubs the green light to hold warm-up games.
By Graham Smyth
Published 3rd Jun 2020, 17:35 BST
Updated 3rd Jun 2020, 19:28 BST
APPROVAL - Championship clubs like Leeds United are awaiting the green light from the EFL to schedule friendly games before the June 20 provisional restart. Pic: Jonathan GawthorpeAPPROVAL - Championship clubs like Leeds United are awaiting the green light from the EFL to schedule friendly games before the June 20 provisional restart. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe
APPROVAL - Championship clubs like Leeds United are awaiting the green light from the EFL to schedule friendly games before the June 20 provisional restart. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe

The Whites and their fellow second-tier clubs are yet to receive permission from the game’s authorities to do so, as they prepare for the provisional restart date of June 20.

Yesterday it emerged, via the Telegraph, that the Premier League has told its clubs they can play friendlies, under strict restrictions, before their June 17 restart.

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Measures will be put in place to help reduce the risk of infection and clubs will only be permitted to travel to up to 90 minutes .

Newcastle United will be granted special dispensation if they need to go further afield.

Players will travel to games in their cars and friendlies will have to take place without official referees.

Top flight clubs have approached Championship outfits over the possibility of warm up games and the EFL is expected to make a decision later this week on whether or not clubs can take part.

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Championship clubs including Leeds were granted approval to return to full-contact training on Tuesday morning.

Their top-flight counterparts voted unanimously last week to move to Stage Two of their return to training protocol, allowing players to ‘train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising unnecessary close contact.’

The latest round of Premier League coronavirus testing revealed just a single positive test from 1,197 players and club staff.

Tottenham confirmed an unnamed individual is self-isolating.

Related topics:Premier LeagueEFLNewcastle UnitedTelegraph

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