Categories: Sports

As English football returns, live TV coverage unlikely for some matches

Watford's English goalkeeper Ben Foster (L) makes a save during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on November 2, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

English football league fixtures will return on Monday after a break as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

English Football League (EFL) says fixtures will also go ahead with a minute’s silence held before matches, black armbands worn, flags to be flown at half-mast and the National Anthem to be played in stadiums.

But the return of the Premier League football may be jeopardised by a shortage of TV trucks due to the 24/7 coverage being given to the Queen’s funeral.

The Premier League is yet to make an announcement about the games to be played between 16 and 18 September.

The English Football League managing the three divisions below the Premier League said on Monday that some matches would return as scheduled from Tuesday.

The EFL said in a statement, “With a national policing plan now in operation, the League and Clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures.”

The EFL announcement on Monday came after the last round of games were postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Daily Mail reported on Monday that the Premier League’s main rights holder Sky Sports was running out of the outside broadcast trucks required to deliver live coverage as many are being used by their sister channel, Sky News.

Sky Sports was due to televise eight live matches across football next weekend, beginning with Aston Villa vs Southampton in the Premier League on Friday evening followed by Tottenham vs Leicester the next day, and Brentford vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Liverpool on Sunday.

In addition Sky has two live Championship matches on Saturday, plus Scottish Premier League and Women’s Super League fixtures the following day.

Sky News is providing unprecedented coverage of events across the country building up to the Queen’s funeral next Monday, which has put a strain on their resources.

The lack of TV trucks is said to have emerged as an additional complicating factor during talks over football’s resumption following last weekend’s shutdown, which will continue this morning with a briefing from government.

The strain on police resources is the biggest obstacle to Premier League games taking place as planned next weekend, as up to 10,000 police officers will be deployed in London to manage what has been described as an unprecedented security operation in the capital ahead of the funeral.

Police and football clubs will continue urgent talks today (Monday) as the potential for wide scale postponements of matches this weekend looms large.

Games including Sunday’s Manchester United vs Leeds and Chelsea vs Liverpool are among those being discussed.

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