English professional sport reappears.
The UK's Culture Ministry, DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), has granted permission for the resumption of English professional sports. Leading the way was the first horse race since March's midpoint, held in Newcastle on June 1st. The Premier League is also planning a timely return. This news is a beacon of hope for the struggling bookmakers. What other advancements can we anticipate?
Sports' Return under Strict Guidelines
The United Kingdom's licensed bookmakers can heave a sigh of relief, as the British government has given the go-ahead to the return of England's top-level sports. As DCMS's State Secretary, Oliver Dowden, proclaimed last week, leagues and umbrella organizations have had the discretion to restart their businesses since early June, on the condition that infection control regulations are met.
Professional sports will only be resuming under considerable constraints. Initially, spectators are barred from attending the events. In addition to mandatory COVID-19 testing for all individuals involved in the sports competitions, there are stringent social distancing requirements - organizers should establish a one-way system for the traffic flow of people and vehicles at the respective venues. Dowden elaborated on this:
"This is a momentous occasion for British sport. By collaborating with doctors at every stage, we are creating a safe environment for all participants. Our guidelines provide a secure framework for resuming competitions. It now falls upon the individual sports leagues to adhere to these stipulations and determine when it is suitable for them to resume their competitions."
Premier League's Imminent Comeback
The resumption of British sports is met with enthusiasm across the industry. In the past week, the British leagues and associations unveiled their plans for resuming operations, including the Premier League. The nation's foremost football league is planning its comeback on June 17th, which will mark a 100-day interruption in play.
Reports indicate that Premier League club executives gathered last week to discuss the specifics of this resumption plan. The season will resume if all safety conditions are met by June 17th, according to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters:
"We have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday, June 17th. This date can only be confirmed if we have met all the necessary safety criteria, as the health and well-being of all participants and fans is our utmost priority."
Ghost Games for the Remainder of the Season
The first two matches on June 17th will see Aston Villa facing Sheffield United, while Manchester City takes on Arsenal. All future league games will follow the regular schedule starting from June 19th. The remaining 92 games of the ongoing season are expected to be completed by August.
Following the recently resumed Bundesliga's example, England's sports events will operate as ghost games. This means that the remaining fixtures will be broadcast live by the league's broadcast partners, including Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport, and Amazon Prime. The companies have announced that several games will be aired for free.
Sky has pledged to show 64 games, 25 of which will be complimentary. BBC broadcasts will comprise four matches, representing the first time since inception that the network will broadcast Premier League games in their entirety. BT remains tight-lipped on the number of matches slated for broadcast, while Amazon Prime has yet to disclose its intentions. However, it is anticipated that there will be free broadcasts, given the establishment of special agreements. Masters reaffirmed:
"Regretfully, the games will take place without fans attending, so we're thrilled to have devised a positive solution for fans to watch all the remaining matches. The Premier League boasts intensely passionate and loyal supporters. It is imperative that as many individuals as possible can tune in at home."
Horse Racing's Kickoff
Horse racing has already begun its comeback. On June 1st, the first horse race since mid-March was held in Newcastle. Horse racing holds a pivotal position in the nation's sports culture, and betting on horse racing is a primary vertical among British sports betting providers. However, these rules apply to this sport as well, as unveiled by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
The races will occur as ghost races, and a list of participants has been established. There are also guidelines for screening, social distancing, and personal protective equipment usage. These guidelines were developed in concert with the English health authority (Public Health England) and under the direction of BHA's medical advisor, Dr. Jerry Hill.
The BHA praised the government for permitting the return of sports and emphasized that the resumption of horse racing will save the lives and livelihoods of the entire industry. In turn, the British betting industry will also be reinvigorated. Betting revenues had nosedived by more than 90%. Flutter and GVC had sustained substantial losses.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
