Thursday’s football odds and ends

If all goes as planned, Arsenal will return to action in 13 days! So, with that said, here are a few odds and ends making football headlines on Thursday…

The Premier League will follow FIFA guidelines and allow teams to make 5 substitutions during the remainder of the league’s 92 matches. However, in order to avoid additional game disruptions, each team will still only have three opportunities to make those changes. Also, each club will be allowed to name 9 potential subs to their benches prior to each game. These changes have been added to protect “player welfare” when the games resume.

The Premiere League is now expected to announce the first few rounds of fixtures within the next 24 hours. Once the June 17th games are played, it is assumed team schedules will follow the fixture lists already in place, beginning with Matchday 30.

Neutral venues will be used if required. The 20 PL clubs have agreed this could be a necessity if COVID-19 spikes occur locally around England.

The PL has tabled further discussions on what to do if the season has to be curtailed. They stated they want to focus on returning games to the pitch first before continuing those discussions.

According to the Mail, the PL has vetoed allowing additional cameras, microphones and interviews as requested by the broadcasters.

VI in The Netherlands is reporting Arsenal is set make a bid for Turkish midfielder Orkun Kokcu. The 19-year-old currently plays for Feyenoord.

The Mail is reporting Manchester City might have to wait two months before a decision is delivered on their two years Champions League ban.

The Mail also reports the Premier League has not offered to help financially strapped EFL clubs even though the UK government made restarting the PL season contingent on helping EFL clubs stay afloat due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cheers, and stay healthy and safe!

Gunner1953