• Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, one of the last round of Premier League games at the beginning of March. To see the other matches that weekend, swipe the picture. Reuters
    Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, one of the last round of Premier League games at the beginning of March. To see the other matches that weekend, swipe the picture. Reuters
  • Leicester City beat Aston Villa 4-0 on March 9 in the last Premier League game to take place. Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring the third goal. EPA
    Leicester City beat Aston Villa 4-0 on March 9 in the last Premier League game to take place. Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring the third goal. EPA
  • Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal against West Ham. Reuters
    Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal against West Ham. Reuters
  • Brighton's Lewis Dunk (left) battles for the ball against Wolves during the 0-0 draw at Molineux. PA
    Brighton's Lewis Dunk (left) battles for the ball against Wolves during the 0-0 draw at Molineux. PA
  • Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the 4-0 win over Everton. Getty
    Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the 4-0 win over Everton. Getty
  • Anthony Martial scored the first in Manchester United's 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City. EPA
    Anthony Martial scored the first in Manchester United's 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City. EPA
  • Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew scores the goal in the 1-0 win against Watford. Reuters.
    Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew scores the goal in the 1-0 win against Watford. Reuters.
  • Sheffield United's Billy Sharp strikes in the 1-0 win over Norwich. Reuters
    Sheffield United's Billy Sharp strikes in the 1-0 win over Norwich. Reuters
  • Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates scoring their goal in a 1-0 win a Southampton. Reuters
    Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates scoring their goal in a 1-0 win a Southampton. Reuters
  • Tottenham's Dele Alli scores their goal from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw at Burnley. Reuters
    Tottenham's Dele Alli scores their goal from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw at Burnley. Reuters

Gary Neville says players' lives will be at risk if Premier League returns too quickly


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Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes resuming the Premier League season too early amid the Covid-19 pandemic could risk the lives of players and staff.

English football has been suspended since March 13 due to the coronavirus but Premier League bosses are keen for the season to resume, even if games are played behind closed doors.

"If people are really serious about putting health first we would not be discussing football returning at this moment," eight-times Premier League winner Neville told Sky Sports.

"The minute one member of staff or player goes into intensive care, what are they going to do? That's the bit on one shoulder telling them: 'It's a risk'. They really aren't sure at this time how to deal with it."

Premier League clubs will meet on Friday to discuss ways to finish the season and Neville said the prospect of losing money from broadcasters if the campaign is cancelled had clouded the judgement of those pushing for quick restart.

"If this was a non-economic decision, there would be no football for months," Neville added.

"There are big prizes up for grabs and huge economic loss that's going to be incurred and it does cloud minds, in terms of the level of risk people are willing to place on lives."