PREMIER LEAGUE

PREIMER LEAGUE CONFIRM ZERO CASES OF COVID-19 AS CLUB PREPARE TO RETURN JUNE 17: This fourth set of COVID-19 tests were conducted in recent ...

PREIMER LEAGUE CONFIRM ZERO CASES OF COVID-19 AS CLUB PREPARE TO RETURN JUNE 17:

This fourth set of COVID-19 tests were conducted in recent days on 1,130 players and staff from clubs, but showed zero new cases.

A statement released on Saturday evening read: “The Premier League can today confirm that on Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May, 1,130 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19.

“Of these, zero have tested positive.

“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing.”

In the first round of testing, six were positive from three clubs. In the second, two were positive from two clubs. And in the third, four were positive from three clubs.

The latest confirmation of zero new cases will provide a boost after the announcement that the division will return on June 17.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said on Thursday: “Today we have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday 17 June.

“But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.

“Sadly, matches will have to take place without fans in stadiums, so we are pleased to have come up with a positive solution for supporters to be able to watch all the remaining 92 matches.

“The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters. It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home.

“We will continue to work step-by-step and in consultation with all our stakeholders as we move towards resuming the 2019/20 season.”

Meanwhile, the EFL reported 10 positive tests from eight clubs in the Championship and seven positives from three clubs in League Two. There is no programme of testing for League One at present.

A total of 1,058 players were tested in the Championship, with just four clubs and 135 individuals participating in the fourth tier.

All of those who tested positive will begin self isolation in line with the current health guidelines.