Report: Premier League allowing clubs to stage friendlies before restart

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The Premier League has given clubs permission to play friendlies at stadiums and training grounds before the season resumes on June 17, according to The Telegraph's John Percy.

Teams are expected to organize exhibition matches this week. Championship clubs have reportedly received requests from Premier League sides to participate in some of these friendlies.

Players are reportedly expected to travel to grounds in their own cars, and clubs cannot travel farther than 90 minutes away to face an opponent. Teams like Newcastle United, who are somewhat secluded in northeast England, will require special permission to travel longer distances.

Players may also be required to wear their kits while traveling in order to minimize contact at each facility, Percy notes, and only those who have previously tested negative for the coronavirus will be allowed to play.

Premier League clubs unanimously voted last week to proceed to the next phase of training. Players are now allowed to "train as a group and engage in tackling while minimizing any unnecessary close contact."

The league's fourth round of testing revealed no new cases of COVID-19. Overall, 12 people have tested positive through 3,882 checks across the top flight.