Revealed: The stance Sheffield United will take during crucial Premier League summit

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Sheffield United will enter talks designed to explore the possibility of finishing the Premier League season by the end of June with an open mind, a source close to Bramall Lane has told The Star, with officials at the club expected to decide their position after hearing all the arguments put forward.

The stance mirrors the one adopted before last month’s discussions, which ended with representatives from the country’s leading 20 teams making a commitment to try and complete the fixture schedule rather than abandon the campaign altogether because of the coronavirus crisis.

Richard Masters, the PL’s chief executive, had warned its members could face combined losses of up to £1bn if the remaining matches were shelved and defended their right to use the Government’s worker retention scheme after placing non-playing staff on furlough. United confirmed over the weekend that employees unable to perform their usual roles due to the pandemic had been granted temporary leave of absence. But a statement explained they would not initially be seeking helping from the taxpayer to underwrite 80 per cent of the wages of those affected, who are continuing to be paid in full.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

United were seventh in the table when English football was placed into lockdown last month.

Today’s meeting has been called to explore the likelihood of fulfilling the remaining games before June 30, when many footballers are set to become free agents.

FIFA, the world governing body, recently issued a set of guidelines designed to address this issue should the proposal prove impossible to implement.

An important message from The Star:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, please purchase a copy of our newspapers or subscribe to thestar.co.uk.

Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder and chief executive Steve Bettis (right):  Scott MerryleesSheffield United's manager Chris Wilder and chief executive Steve Bettis (right):  Scott Merrylees
Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder and chief executive Steve Bettis (right): Scott Merrylees | JPIMedia Resell

The coronavirus lockdown is having a major impact on many of our local advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive. That means we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers and subscribe to our website during this crisis.

Stay safe and take care. Thank you, James.

News you can trust since 1887
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice