Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The English Premier League (EPL) on Friday revealed that the 2020/21 season will start on September 12, 2020, and run until May 23, 2021.
This is a slight drawback to the usual schedule which kicks off in August. However, due to suspension in March brought about by the coronavirus, the league had to resume after three months to complete the season.
The announcements mean that the season will begin behind closed doors, with spectators only set to return to venues on a socially-distanced basis from October 1.
A statement from the Premier League stated that. “Premier League shareholders today agreed to start the 2020-21 Premier League season on September 12, 2020.
“The final match round of the campaign will take place on May 23, 2021. The Premier League will continue to consult the Football Association (FA) and English Football League (EFL) regarding the scheduling of all domestic competitions.”
The EFL also confirmed the Championship, League One and League Two seasons will commence on the same weekend in September, with their regular seasons ending on the weekend of May 8, 2021.
The FA Cup final takes place on Saturday, August 1 between Arsenal and Chelsea while the Championship Play-Offs end the domestic season with the Wembley showpiece final on Tuesday, August 4.
The Champions League and Europa League will then take place between August 5 and August 23, with the Champions League final taking place just three weeks before next season is due to get underway.
The UEFA Nations League is also due to resume in September.
With Liverpool crowned champions on Wednesday, the last round of games will hold on Sunday to decide the Champion League and Europa League qualifications alongside relegations.
Arsenal vs Watford; Burnley vs Brighton; Chelsea vs Wolverhampton Wanderers; Crystal Palace vs Tottenham; Everton vs Bournemouth; Leicester City vs Manchester United; Manchester City vs Norwich; and Newcastle vs Liverpool.
The matches will kick-off by 4 pm (Nigerian time).
