"The introduction of two water breaks in the middle of each half is good for us to quench our thirst and curb our urge to spit. The Premier League's return is imminent, and the pieces are still coming together for how the league will finish off its 2019-2020 season after a lengthy suspension. “In light of this and the unique challenge faced globally in delivering competitions according to the originally foreseen calendar, Fifa proposes a larger number of substitutions be temporarily allowed at the discretion of the relevant competition organiser.” This could be applied until the end of the 2020-21 season and to international games until 31 December 2021. It is understood that any medical and safety plans will have to be signed off by PHE and the government. THE PREMIER LEAGUE has confirmed five new coronavirus cases ahead of its weekend return. But a log-in is still required for our PDFs. Getting over social distancing, that is the big thing. “Safety of the players is one of Fifa’s main priorities,” said a spokesperson. The Premier League's return is imminent, and the pieces are still coming together for how the league will finish off its 2019-2020 season after a lengthy suspension. This would give us confidence to see it through to the end of the season.". Some 1,128 players and club officials were tested between October 5-11. Elsewhere, Uefa announced that it would be releasing €236.5m (£206.3m) to its member associations. Arsenal allowed a maximum of five players on to their training pitches at any one time, while West Ham and Tottenham are limiting their players to solo running exercises. Our players are more than ready. Time is running out to bring in the defensive reinforcements they desperately need. “Game-defining moments are sprinting, turning, stopping, tackling and doing those while considering opponents and the ball. It was tough also because Tampines kept coming at us, but we coped well as a unit. Efforts will intensify this week to find a way to complete the Premier League season, after the government declared its desire to see football back “as soon as possible”. The Cheetahs' shrewd use of pace and wing play with a five-man defence could provide other teams the template to play against the Stags, who looked vulnerable on the flanks. “These are the most strenuous activities in football and increase the likelihood of success and failure. Fulham's return to the Premier League is quickly turning sour after a third straight defeat. The Cheetahs' shrewd use of pace and wing play … The money cis usually ringfenced for “investment, education and knowledge sharing” but those restrictions have been lifted. “Players will need less time to get fit than in normal pre-season because they won’t be flying around the world playing games. Arsenal’s David Luiz arrives for training. Despite being out of competitive action for over six months, the teams held up well with passes and touches becoming sloppy only in the last 10 minutes, as Hougang midfielder Charlie Machell was the first to succumb to cramp in the 83rd minute. After FIFA signaled its support for players in the Bundesliga who have showed signs of solidarity after the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, the English FA followed by echoing the sentiments and giving Premier League players the platform to follow suit. But as some Premier League clubs open up their training grounds, the details of how elite sport could safely return remain unresolved. The other SPL match on Saturday also went on without a hitch as Balestier Khalsa beat Tanjong Pagar United 1-0 at Jurong East Stadium to climb to second on eight points, while the Jaguars remain seventh with two points. You can read this subscriber-only article in full, All done! With Premier League clubs due to meet on Friday and a new grouping led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport also convening this week, government officials talk of a “quickening of the pace”. The presence of fans and bystanders at Our Tampines Hub was heartening as it showed there is interest in the SPL and live sports in general. ", A number of clubs have already shown support, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle posting photos of teams in training taking knees. A handful of fans from Tampines and Hougang and pockets of curious spectators stood at various vantage points – such as the fifth-floor jogging track and the library on the second storey – within the integrated community and lifestyle hub to watch the game, though some were seen not observing safe distancing practices. Tampines Rovers hosted Hougang United at Our Tampines Hub on Oct 17, 2020. Those moves can only be made in three increments, so those expecting Jose Mourinho to scheme and use five individual substitutes in stoppage time can move on to a different topic. And if you don’t have enough time to do it, it will increase the likelihood of injury.”. Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Newcastle's DeAndre Yedlin are among the many individual players to speak out publicly, while Yedlin and Chelsea and U.S. star Christian Pulisic appeared in a powerful and graphic video featuring a number of other U.S. internationals titled, "Enough Is Enough.". Football must not restart until strain on NHS eases, says Watford chairman, Liverpool postpone Anfield Road stand expansion owing to Covid-19. The use of neutral venues for select matches has reportedly been approved, with clubs voting on the contentious issue on Thursday. But until you’ve got the whole team back together the technical, tactical and physical can’t be worked on. The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired. Tampines Rovers (left) and Hougang United players doing customary pre-match greetings sans handshakes. Liverpool will continue its quest to win a first top-flight domestic title in 30 years, the race for the Champions League places will go on and the congested bottom six will look to stave off relegation. In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content, Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months*, Bennett, separated from family by Covid-19 measures, finds solace in football and SPL resumption, Football: Long-awaited SPL resumption gives fans something to cheer about, Football: Edge is with Tampines Rovers as Singapore Premier League resumes, Football: Debts restructured, Warriors FC seeking to return to Singapore Premier League next year, Football: Uncertainty over champions Brunei DPMM's participation in S'pore Premier League restart, October return of Singapore Premier League, One Championship crucial to next year's calendar, Hougang United fans cheer during SPL match between Tampines Rovers and Hougang United. “The power of football can break down barriers across communities and we remain deeply committed to removing all forms of discrimination from across the game we all love. Substitutes did not sit in the dugout but in the stands and there was no stadium announcer nor ball boys. Until we resolve the issues, subscribers need not log in to access ST Digital articles. SPH Digital News / Copyright © 2020 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. Last modified on Tue 28 Apr 2020 08.40 BST. Only on Friday will top-flight clubs be presented by the league with a protocol to enable a full return to training. With limits on time and the number of athletes, each club is setting its own terms. We did that, but just could not finish. These could be made in a maximum of three in-game slots and at half-time. The 23-year-old said: "We didn't play any friendlies before restarting so we are definitely not in tip-top condition. The fans turning up was a bonus and as long as they observe safe-distancing measures, we really appreciate their support. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH, Tong said: "Individual discipline is crucial, and every player, official, and ground staff needs to be conscious of safe distancing and personal hygiene. The Premier League drew criticism and disdain from across football and beyond when it announced plans to screen matches played behind closed doors on pay-per-view TV Published: 7:17 PM . With the expanded substitutions comes expanded matchday squads. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. The Stags entered the game as favourites after beating Balestier Khalsa, Tanjong Pagar United and big-money Lion City Sailors before the break but were missing attacker Zehrudin Mehmedovic through suspected dengue fever. October return of Singapore Premier League, One Championship crucial to next year's calendar. All rights reserved. Our coaches could also use that to give us some advice if necessary. With large cinema halls with more than 300 seats allowed to admit up to 150 patrons in three zones of 50 within the confined space, perhaps the authorities can consider the same for SPL matches. Clubs can feature nine players on the bench in uniform, instead of the usual seven. The return to football action was competitive and intriguing as Hougang ended a 10-game winless streak against Tampines since 2016 to win 2-1, thanks to first-half strikes from Sahil Suhaimi and Farhan Zulkifli that rendered Irwan Shah's 60th-minute header a mere consolation. We have been experiencing some problems with subscriber log-ins and apologise for the inconvenience caused. While the visitors made use of all five substitutions, Tampines coach Gavin Lee made just three subs and watched in despair as his side missed two gilt-edged opportunities to score in added time. It's unspecified as to what specific matches will be getting that treatment, though Liverpool's first few matches are reported to be candidates, with authorities not trusting the club's fans to remain socially distanced and restrained enough while celebrating what appears to be an inevitable title. ", Tampines Rovers' substitute players in the stands. Tampines Rovers defender Baihakki Khaizan greets Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong before the match. While the challenges of staging sport, even behind closed doors, are increasingly being discussed, those that precede any resumption of competition are also coming into focus. ", Hougang ended a 10-game winless streak against Tampines since 2016 to win 2-1. This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. “With social distancing you can’t do the things that tick lots of boxes,” said Dr Craig Boyd, senior lecturer in sports performance at Manchester Metropolitan University, who has worked with elite football clubs and Team GB athletes. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth was an observer at the game and felt the measures were sufficient and well-followed. Like any good defence, a clean sheet in this area is crucial for the successful completion of this SPL season. But as some Premier League clubs open up their training grounds, the details of how elite sport could safely return remain unresolved. Spurs say no more than one player will be permitted on any pitch at any time and that players must arrive alone in kit and return home immediately after their session. Despite the defeat, Tampines remain top with nine points from five games, while Hougang are up to third, two points back but with a game in hand. Even at the end, we were focused not on the score but on creating opportunities. Given the sprint to the finish line for the remaining games of the season, managers will surely make use of the expanded squads and added in-game flexibility in order to keep players fresh and to avoid injury. Hougang's win over Tampines throws the SPL race wide open in an abbreviated season of two rounds instead of the usual three rounds, and we may well see a new winner represent Singapore in next season's AFC Champions League. Also present at the game were Sport Singapore chief executive officer Lim Teck Yin and Football Association of Singapore president Lim Kia Tong. 198402868E. A meeting between the DCMS, representatives of Public Health England and executives from Britain’s biggest sports, including the Premier League, is due this week to discuss how sport could safely resume. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Arsenal players returned to training on Monday but under severe social distancing restrictions that could yet render a Premier League restart unviable. “I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community,” he said.