HMRC would not view a return to initial training as invalidating the conditions of the furlough scheme, as players would not be earning income or providing a service to their employers.

This was seen as a stumbling block by clubs that when they went back into training they would lose the Government furlough scheme.
Now this has been cleared up and the clubs will not lose the benefit cant see any reason why the season cant start early in July

coz they (the clubs) want/need to try and minimise as many games as possible being played behide closed doors. They need the paying fans to attend the games.
I am pretty sure that that wont be good enough for you

We won't be attending games this season.

Is that a 'view' or fact?

I was under the impression that they are hoping for fans to start attend games in October

Well it's an opinion. I hope I'm wrong but I cannot see it happening. I do take bonaire's point though that if a rigorous testing procedure for players/coaches is implemented then we could restart in July although it does seem that August is the prefered restart for clubs.

There is no way we will be attending games, not until a vaccine is found, could be late next year, stupid for us to even think about October.

If theres an RFL compensation fund for lost income for clubs playing games behind closed doors what does it matter? Surely games without the fans can go ahead aith no financial hit

Cant really see any reason super league shouldnt get back up and running as football is

My guess is the pure amount of televised premiership football games means super league has to wait. Here ar the broadcast times.

CONFIRMED Premier League kick off times when games return:

Monday - 8pm
Tuesday - 6pm & 8pm
Wednesday - 6pm & 8pm
Thursday: 6pm & 8pm
Friday: 8pm
Saturday: 12:30pm, 3pm, 5:30pm & 8pm
Sunday - 12pm, 2pm, 4.30pm & 7pm



An expert i follow predicts there will be virtually no new cases end of July, and were ahead of the government roadmap, hes been on the money with all his predictions so

Professor Karol Sikora on twitter

"Some laughed at my prediction at the end of March that we would start edging back to normality around the second week in May - it was right!

I think by August things will be virtually back to normal, perhaps sooner.

We should still prepare for the worst, but hope for the best!"

The Sikora that is an Oncologist, falsely claimed to be a professor at Imperial when interviewed by a select comittee, criticises the NHS, messes in American politics and said the Lockerbie bomber should be released, THAT Sikora?

I think we should err on the side of caution and follow the gudiance of SAGE, not one bloke on Twitter...

Agree about the TV schedules, but PL was always going to take priority.

I read the date was linked to the repayments due to Sky - it was optimised to have the least damage.

Does look like August 16 a very long way off, suggest we have to trust the owners judgement - sadly their thoughts will inevitably be driven by the finances.

I see the FA Cup Final set for 1st August - presume that must be behind closed doors ??

No it wasn't. Millions still furloughed, non-essntial shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs still closed, public transport only for essential reasons, no live sports, no meeting people from outside your own household.

Things will not be back to normal by August, again he is giving people false hope just so he can get retweets and increase his followers. Some things will not return to normal until a vaccine is developed (i.e. maybe never).