European Cup Competitions EPL Participants to get Delay Start in EPL
Premier League clubs involved in the latter stages of European cup competitions will be given a delayed start to the English Premier League 2020-21 season. There have not been precise details about the resumption date for next season yet but they are sure to decide later this month.
But it has already been decided in principle that all clubs should be given a minimum amount of time off. Manchester City and Chelsea are in the Champions League while Manchester United and Wolves in the Europa League, the four clubs are the only four clubs in the European cup competitions and is only them that will be given the delay.
A 30-day period has generally been accepted, which would mean any club involved in the ‘Final Eight’ stages of the Champions League or Europa League will not start their campaigns on 12 September when the new Premier League will begin. Manchester City will take on Real Madrid with 2-1 lead at hand already. For Chelsea, they will be travelling to German to face Bayern Munich with 3-0 loss already, they will hoping for a miracle in the game.
Manchester United and Wolves play their last-16 Europa League second-leg ties on Wednesday and Thursday this week. United lead Austrian side LASK 5-0 while Wolves drew 1-1 with Olympiakos in March. A decision still needs to be made about a delayed start for the teams who get knocked out in last-16 ties this week. This could include Chelsea, who are 3-0 down after the home leg of their tie against Bayern Munich.
While those clubs would have 30 days between their final game and the opening weekend of the season, given the restart comes immediately after an international break, it would severely limit the number of friendlies those clubs could arrange before their first competitive match. The four clubs in the European cup competitions will be an exception so as to allow them regain strength and energy.
