Newcastle United see brakes put on Premier League return after government intervention

Speaking at the coronavirus daily briefing, Van-Tam was quizzed on whether football could return by June 12.

This is understood to be the date which Premier League teams are currently aiming for as they look to return to competitive action, albeit behind closed doors.

Top flight representatives met with the government earlier this week to discuss a return to action, with culture secretary Oliver Dowden opening the door for a comeback today, saying that the decision of when to resume was now in the hands of the league.

But Van-Tam put the brakes on a return, suggesting that a ‘slow, measured’ approach would be taken.

Indeed, he insisted that discussions about competitive fixtures cannot even be thought about until safe, socially distant training has been implemented – something which is yet to happen.

“The overall approach with easing social distancing has been one that has been tentative, measured, slow and stepwise,” he said.

“That is exactly the plan that is underway for all elite sport, not just sport.

“There will be small, measured approaches to see what can be achieved safely.

“The first of those is to return to safe training, still observing social distancing. Plans are taking place at quite some depth to be ready to do that, and that will be a stepwise thing.

“We will have to see how that goes before we can even think about playing competitive football matches.

“We have to be slow, we have to be measured.”